Rumors of the injury started circulating via social media on Wednesday, with Reed confirming it a day later.
Eighty-six of Reed's 125 regular-season snaps on defense last year saw him line up to defend the slot with just 29 on the outside, according to Pro Football Focus. The majority of Reed's work came on special teams where he had 164 snaps.
Last season, linebacker Kwon Alexander suffered a torn pectoral muscle on October 31, was placed on injured reserve on November 5, and the 49ers activated him for the playoffs on January 10. He ended up playing in each of San Francisco's three postseason games.
The 49ers made Reed, 23, a fifth-round selection out of Kansas State in 2018. He registered 13 tackles, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble through 16 games with the 49ers in 2019. Reed has recorded 54 tackles, a sack, two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles through his two NFL seasons, according to Pro Football Reference.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan last year praised Reed's versatility as a contributor on defense and special teams.
"D.J. Reed, he fights," Shanahan said before the start of the regular season. "He can play at a number of different spots ... D.J.'s a heck of a football player, and we're glad to have him."
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