The San Francisco 49ers appear to be starting cornerback Jimmie Ward and not Ahkello Witherspoon for their Week 3 road matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to a report from The Athletic's Matt Barrows, the San Francisco 49ers appear poised to start veteran defensive back Jimmie Ward at right cornerback for the team's Week 3 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Not second-year corner Ahkello Witherspoon.
Based on warmups, Jimmie Ward will start at RCB ahead of Ahkello Witherspoon. #49ers
Witherspoon was hobbled by an ankle injury, which could have influenced his relatively poor performance in the Niners' 30-27 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 2. San Francisco's second-year corner was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant in Friday's practice session.
The 49ers figure to have their hands full facing a dangerous duo of Chiefs wide receivers, Sammy Watkins and the explosive Tyreek Hill. And while Ward struggled in his preseason action and has seen only limited snaps during the Niners' first two regular-season games, it looks as if San Francisco is going with experience over up-and-coming prowess for this contest.
Witherspoon is still active, however, and dressed for the contest. It wouldn't be shocking to see a switch at some point in the game if Ward struggles.
Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
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