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49ers to work out Elvis Dumervil

By Brad Berreman

Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (58) during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the San Francisco 49ers search for veteran defensive help, pass rusher Elvis Dumervil will be brought in for a workout.

Early this week, reports surfaced regarding the San Francisco 49ers hosting cornerback Leon Hall and safety Jarius Byrd for a workout on Wednesday. News of any subsequent signing of either guy has not yet surfaced, though cornerback Will Davis was signed on Thursday. But a search for veteran defenders is apparently not over, with ESPN’s Dan Graziano reporting pass rusher Elvis Dumervil will be part of a workout with the 49ers in the coming days.

Dumervil spent the last four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, but he missed half of the 2016 campaign with a foot injury and was released on March 8. Prior to that, Dumervil spent the beginning of his career (20006-2012) with the Denver Broncos.

Dumervil tied his career-high with 17 sacks for the Ravens in 2014, but he has just nine sacks over the last two seasons in what looks like an age-related decline. Before last year, Dumervil missed a total of three games from 2011-2015.

Dumervil primarily played defensive end during his time with the Broncos, and he would do so again in the 49ers’ 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

The 49ers can surely use the pass rushing help. They finished in the bottom half of the league in sacks (33) last season, with defensive end DeForest Buckner and linebacker Ahmad Brooks tying for the team lead with six sacks. Behind Buckner, Arik Armstead and Aaron Lynch, San Francisco is pretty thin on pass rushers.

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The 49ers are the only team known to have any interest in Dumervil, and he is one of the biggest names available nearly three months into free agency. Even in a likely part-time role at 33 years old, he probably has something to offer the right team. The 49ers, with an open-minded new regime in place, seem intent on finding out if there’s a match.