49ers’ pass-rushing problem needs solving soon

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After 49ers outside linebacker Marcus Rush was waived Sept. 3, he went unclaimed by the NFL’s 31 other teams.

And since Rush was signed to the 49ers’ practice squad on Sept. 4, no team has exercised its right to steal him away by signing him to its 53-man roster.

Given the evidence, it’s seems safe to say that Rush, who went undrafted in 2015, isn’t in high demand. But the 49ers’ pass-rush problems inspired this question Thursday to head coach Chip Kelly: Have the 49ers considered promoting Rush from the practice squad and playing him?

Kelly said Rush wouldn’t be promoted unless an outside linebacker was placed on injured reserve, which could prompt this question from the fan base: Huh?

The 49ers’ 3-4 defense relies heavily on its outside linebackers to produce pass-rush pressure, but the quartet of Ahmad Brooks (five sacks), Eli Harold (one), Aaron Lynch (one) and Tank Carradine (zero) is part of a defense that has produced the second-fewest sacks (20) in the NFL.

In fact, the 49ers are on pace for 27 sacks, which would be their fewest in a non-strike season since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.

So back to Rush. Given their paucity of pressure — and 1-11 record — why not test out the summer sensation who had six preseason sacks?

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws as San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) less Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws as San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Glendale, ... more Photo: Rick Scuteri, Associated Press Photo: Rick Scuteri, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 49ers’ pass-rushing problem needs solving soon 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The 49ers appear reluctant to make such a move, but this is clear: They can’t stand pat at the position after the regular season.

General manager Trent Baalke has consistently addressed the outside linebacker corps in recent drafts, but his whiffs at the spot help explain why his job is in jeopardy.

Harold, a 2015 third-round pick, has one career sack. Carradine, a 2013 second-round pick who converted last year from defensive end, has four sacks. And Corey Lemonier, a 2013 third-round pick, was released after collecting one sack in three seasons.

In other words, their six sacks with the 49ers are two fewer than Oakland’s Khalil Mack has since Oct. 30.

The 49ers have an adequate starter in Brooks, 32, but he doesn’t figure to be around if they complete their rebuild. And, finally, there are questions surrounding Lynch, a 2014 fifth-round pick who appeared to be a steal after he had 12.5 sacks in his first two seasons.

Lynch, however, slipped in the draft because of questions about his commitment and work ethic. And those have resurfaced this season.

In October, after he served a season-opening, four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy, Lynch revealed he lost about 30 pounds during his break. He said he’s been hovering around 300 pounds.

“My wife got pregnant, so I was eating a lot,” Lynch said. “I wasn’t careful with my diet. I was eating whatever. And out of nowhere, my weight went up and I felt it on the field, so I had to get it down.”

Lynch’s crash diet has been part of a disappointing one-sack, three-game season in which he’s missed five straight starts with a high ankle sprain suffered Oct. 23.

Kelly said Friday on KNBR that Lynch is expected to play Sunday against the Jets, but can the 49ers expect him to be dependable in 2017?

On Thursday, Kelly waved off questions about Lynch’s commitment, even disputing the player’s assertion that he’d lost so much weight. Kelly also insisted Lynch arrived in training camp in good shape.

“For a guy that was going to sit for four games, I thought he was in — I mean he passed our conditioning test with no problem,” Kelly said. “I think he’s trying to figure out how much weight he can carry. But the one thing that’s amazing about Aaron in terms of his athletic ability, I don’t think there were any issues.

“As a matter of fact, he was one of the leaders in our conditioning test, kind of running around. That’s really the gauge you have. So to answer your question: Do I think he was in good shape in camp? I do think he was in good shape in camp.”

Whatever the case, this can’t be debated: The sack-starved 49ers are in bad shape at a critical position.

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: Eric_Branch

Pressure problem

The 49ers are on pace for 27 sacks, which would be their fewest in a non-strike season since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. Here are their lowest season totals:

2015 28

2005 28

2004 29

2008 30

2007 31

1991 31