LB Smith tears muscle

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers linebacker Malcolm Smith suffered a torn pectoral muscle during Saturday’s open practice at Levi’s Stadium, putting in doubt the status of one of the team’s most coveted offseason additions.

The team announced the injury Saturday night but had yet to make a roster move, and with not practicing again until Monday it provided a little bit of time for evaluation.

Smith, 28, left the field during fullteam drills after working with the starters throughout training camp next to All-Pro NaVorro Bowman in the new-look defense.

If Smith is sidelined, it may expedite first-round pick Reuben Foster’s insertion into the starting lineup. Foster, 23, fell to the 31st selection in the NFL draft after he was widely expected to be a top-10 pick. The 49ers traded back into the first round to take Foster and said he was one of the top-three players on their draft board.

The Alabama alum won the Butkus Award last season and would be Smith’s likely replacement. He ascended to working with the second string this week during team drills after being limited in the offseason program while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Veteran Ray-Ray Armstrong is also an option. He replaced Smith in the starting lineup Saturday as the weak-side inside linebacker during the full-team session.