The San Francisco 49ers have signed defensive back Leon Hall, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 10-year veteran worked out for the team at the end of May and then again on September 5.
Update: To make room for Hall on the active roster, the 49ers have placed cornerback Asa Jackson on injured reserve.
Former Bengals CB Leon Hall signed with 49ers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2017
Hall spent nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, the team that drafted him with the 18th overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. Last season, Hall appeared in 12 games – starting two – for the New York Giants after signing a one-year, $2 million contract in August of 2016. The 2016 season saw Hall compile 31 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble. He saw a significant amount of playing time in the Giants' wildcard loss to the Green Bay Packers. Hall contributed a lot to the safety position in 2016 and also played in the slot.
Over his career, the 32-year-old Hall has 501 tackles, 27 interceptions, 113 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, and three defensive touchdowns. He has also appeared in five postseason games over his career.
Hall becomes the 49ers' most seasoned veteran at defensive back. No other player within the group has more than five years of experience, with safety Eric Reid leading in that category.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hall had 34 passes defensed from 2007 to 2009. That ranked second among cornerbacks during that span behind only Darrelle Revis.
In 2016, the 49ers defense ranked last in the league in points and total yards allowed but 14th in passing yards allowed. Second-year player Rashard Robinson became the team's top cornerback following the release of Tramaine Brock in April.
