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Malcolm Smith's return is big upgrade for 49ers' defense

Reuben Foster’s preliminary hearing on three felony charges is scheduled for Thursday, which means there could soon be some clarity on his future with the 49ers.

The 49ers tried to approach this offseason as if Foster would not be available. The club re-signed Brock Coyle, who started 10 games, including each of the team’s six victories. The 49ers signed veteran inside linebacker Korey Toomer and added promising BYU linebacker Fred Warner in the third round of the draft.

But the biggest addition to the 49ers’ group of linebackers is expected to be a player who has already been in the building for more than a year.