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          NFL Nation

          Eric Reid nearly back to full health, excited about new regime

          • Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 13, 2017, 04:00 PM
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              Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL at ESPN since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In his 10 years with the company, Nick has led ESPN's coverage of the Niners' 2019 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick's protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam's subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team's relocation and stadium saga. You can follow Nick via Twitter @nwagoner
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          SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Speaking to Bay Area media after last week's introductory news conference, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid didn't hesitate to express his approval of his new bosses.

          In general manager John Lynch, Reid has another experienced sounding board in place when one is needed.

          "I think that’s awesome to have a former player in the GM role, somebody that not only understands the game of football but has played the game of football," Reid said. "So I think he has a different outlook on things when he makes those decisions, so I think that’s pretty cool."

          Reid is equally excited by the addition of head coach Kyle Shanahan. While Reid did not play against the Atlanta Falcons when the Niners played there in December, he believes the chance to practice against a Shanahan offense will help him improve.

          "They move the ball," Reid said. "I watched the Super Bowl; they did some great things and all year they did some great things, so it will be fun to go against a guy that like they said had one of the most prolific offenses in the history of football. So I think I need to take advantage of that opportunity as a defensive player to get better."

          While Reid is still awaiting word on who his new defensive coordinator will be, he's continuing to work on getting back to full strength after a torn biceps cost him the final six games of the season. He suffered the injury in late November but is already mostly healed.

          Reid said last week that his only restriction right now is he can't do any weight-lifting exercises that require him to lift with his palms facing down.

          "I feel good," Reid said. "I went to the doctor [Wednesday]. He told me if we had a game this week, I would be practicing. So I’m pretty much good to go. Time is on my side. Obviously there’s no rush for anything but it made me feel good that he said I would be practicing if we had a game this week."

          In other words, by the time the 49ers open their offseason program, Reid will be cleared and ready to go.

          "By the time OTAs come, it will be a thing of the past," Reid said.