Jimmie Ward and Jason Verrett return: How will they fit in the 49ers defense?

Posted By on October 5, 2022

The 49ers defense has been among the best in the NFL to start the season.

On Wednesday the group saw the return of veteran stalwarts Jimmie Ward and Jason Verrett. Both returned to the practice field, opening a three-week window for them to be added to the active roster.

Verrett had not practiced since tearing his ACL in week one of last season, and Ward had been out since injuring his hamstring in the middle of August.

When asked about the possibility Verrett and Ward could see action as early as this weekend in Carolina Kyle Shanahan said, “there is a chance.”

It’s likely the two will be brought back into the fold in different ways.

In Ward’s absence, Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga have been outstanding. Through the first four weeks of the season the duo has recorded three interceptions, tying the most by a pair of safeties for a season since the arrival of Kyle Shanahan.

In base downs Ward would replace Gipson at safety. Where it gets interesting is in passing situations. That is when I think it is possible that we see San Francisco go back to the three safety look they ran during the second half of 2019.

Doing this would allow Ward to match up one-on-one with opposing tight ends while allowing Hufanga and Gipson to continue working in the same way they have over the first four weeks.

The fit for Verrett isn’t quite so clear.

As is the case at safety, Charvarius Ward and Emmanuel Moseley have played at a high level on the outside and Deommodore Lenoir has come on strong the last two weeks in the slot.

The primary concern with Ward and Moseley is injuries. Both have missed multiple games each of the past two seasons. This is where Verrett comes in.

While Verrett has dealt with a litany of injuries throughout his career, he has proven to be among the best in the league when healthy. San Francisco fans saw this firsthand in 2020 when Verrett stepped in for an injured Richard Sherman and elevated the play of the 49ers secondary.

Injury Update:

The following players did not participate in Wednesday’s practice: DL Arik Armstead (foot, ankle), DL Nick Bosa (not injury related – resting player), RB Tyrion Davis-Price (ankle), DT Javon Kinlaw (knee), TE Tyler Kroft (knee), OL Colton McKivitz (knee), DB Tarvarius Moore (hamstring), T Trent Williams (ankle).

Danny Gray returned to practice. The wide receiver missed last week with a hip injury.

Ross Dwelley (rib) and Jauan Jennings were limited participants.

This article has 24 Comments

    1. I think it’s an old injury that’s never going to heal properly, or fully…he could be in line for early retirement and an injury settlement..this should be a wake up call for the team…Bosa had knee issues at Ohio State, but I’m not sure if he had the red flags that Kinlaw did prior to the draft

    2. bad knee still. Likely done as a starter. He was a very risky draft choice. Buckner has character, education, and leadership qualities.

    3. Lynch and Shanahan have a history of drafting injury prone players. They’ve been doing this since they took over the organization.

  2. Messing with a well run D would be a mistake.
    Keeping Ward and Verret as back ups instead of playing would be prudent.

  3. 1. Gipson stepped up admirably but he did drop two interceptions.
    2. I am cautiously optimistic about our O line. They gave up zero sacks and holding penalties to the Rams.
    3. I heard on 95.7 that Trent Williams will not be going on IR and may be back before Chiefs game.

    1. Rollo,
      As to the 9ers O line having no holding penalties Mon. I believe that may have had more to do with the officials than the O lines level of play. I don’t think I have ever seen the 9ers D line held more without penalty in a game. Bosa alone was held on at least 7 or 8 plays where no penalty was called. I believe that group of officials just weren’t call offensive holding that night.

  4. If the 49ers move to a 3 safety look on passing downs, who comes off the field? Dre Greenlaw? I really like him as a spy on mobile QBs. I think he’s better than Warner at that job.

  5. Verrett is my biggest question mark. His injury history makes him a high risk.
    Plus, the current starters have helped to make the defense the best in football. I feel that the defensive chemistry between the starters at the moment should not be interrupted, except for injury.

    I don’t think that Kinlaw will ever become the player that Shanahan and Lynch envisioned when they drafted him. Kinlaw’ knee issues will hamper his play throughout his career because he’s had them since college. At best, Kinlaw will become a hit & miss type player.
    I would shut him down this season to allow his knee to hopefully make a full recovery.

    1. AES,
      As much as the 9ers may need O line help in next years draft, I see them picking another DT with their first pick next year. If it makes cap sense I see them releasing Kinlaw this off season. Armstead is not a young player anymore and from what I have read about Ridgeway he is a part time rotational player at best. That leaves Givens as the only young full time DT.

  6. Coach,
    There’s a handful of good college D-lineman coming out next year. Taking one in the 1st rd makes me a little nervous though. The sting of Solomon and possibly Kinlaw not living up to their 1st rd selection gives me pause.

    I really like the kid from Baylor named Siaki Ika. And best thing is that most draftniks see him as a rd 2 pick. At 6’4″ 350lbs and quick at the point of attack makes him a viable run stopper. As a bonus, he has the strength and speed to get to the QB.

    On offense, there’s no way the 49ers ignore their long-term need for an upgrade at Center.
    I believe that these two positions will be a priority to address in 2023.

    2. AES,
      The 49ers first pick next year will be in the 2nd round unless they make a trade.

      1. Coach,
        Thanks for the reminder. I forgot about the 49ers deal for Lance. But, the 49ers will definitely need to upgrade the Center and hopefully the Dline positions.

    3. AES / OC
      NOTE: RT Mike McGlinchey is a free agent in 2023 and I don’t expect the 9ers to resign him. * IMO, when TW is hurt the 9ers don’t have a LT back up capable of replacing him. (I expect the 9ers to try Brunskill at LT while TW is out)?
      * While I agree with you, the 9ers need to draft a Center, don’t be surprised to see them draft a OT before
      drafting a Center in 2nd Rd.
      * Also, as OC points out, Kinlaws knee could mean the 9ers draft a DT to replace him,

      1. GEEP,
        Good point re McGlinchey. He has been very steady so far, which bodes well for his continuing comeback from last year’s injury. If McGlinchey continues his improvement the 49ers might make him a priority re-sign.

        I really like the progress of Burford and Banks, drafting a young Center to grow together with them can shore up the Oline for years to come.

        In regards to Kinlaw, his knee issues may plague him throughout his career. He recently said that he doesn’t feel pain in his knee. That’s a reason why I would prefer the 49ers to put him on IR. Allow him to hopefully get full recovery until next year.

        1. It’s been reported that both Kinlaw and Armstead are ruled out for Sunday’s game and possibly the following week as well.

  7. I would expect the Niners to focus on shoring up both the d line and the Oline in next years draft. Other than RB, there aren’t any needs at this time.

    1. Felix,
      It’s not a major area of need at the moment, but I believe that the 49er may need to look at drafting a stud TE. Dwelley and Woerner are good complimentary TEs, but they are not major threats. Dwelley has good hands, but is not a good blocker. Woerner is a good blocker, but has not been a good receiver.

      RB, is always a need in the Shanahan offense. But, the 49ers seem to find them on day 2-3 of the draft or UDFA.
      I don’t see them changing their philosophy in that area.

  8. AES – I thought Zakelj was being trained for the center job. He certainly has the attitude for it.

    1. UC,
      Zak, is being developed, but if there is a clear plug & play Center that falls to the 49ers or if they need to make a deal to get one, it would make sense. Of course, the 49ers may look for a F/A if the money is right. Also, there’s still the question whether McGlinchey re-signs with the 49ers or looks for greener pastures. I believe that the next couple of drafts will target the Oline to build around Banks and Burford.

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