The top of the 2016 NFL Draft was shaken up during the Fiesta Bowl, when Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith suffered a knee injury that head coach Brian Kelly called significant. A week later, ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting Smith will undergo knee surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL.

Mortensen used the word "including", so we don't know if the PCL or LCL are also damaged. Injuries to either of those ligaments would add further time to Smith's rehab process. If it is "just" the ACL and MCL, he is already looking at an extensive rehab process. NaVorro Bowman tore his ACL and MCL, and did not return to the field until this season. Adrian Peterson made a quick return in nine months, but he "only" suffered an ACL tear.

Smith is a guy beat writers considered a decent possibility for the 49ers. The 49ers have NaVorro Bowman and Gerald Hodges under contract, and Michael Wilhoite as a restricted free agent. The inside linebacker position has some good options, but they do not have a sure long-term lock. Bowman looked solid in his first year back, and Hodges is an intriguing talent, but more long-term options would not be a bad thing.