Richard Sherman played at about 80 percent last year; 49ers expect him to be better following offseason surgery

While veteran cornerback Richard Sherman dealt with injuries during his first season with the San Francisco 49ers, he was still the team's best cornerback. The 49ers expect a healthier Sherman to be even better in 2019 as he enters the second year of his three-year deal with the team.

How bad were things for Sherman last season? Albert Breer of The MMQB reports in his Monday-morning column that the 49ers defender was never better than 80 percent healthy, and that didn't come until later in the season.

Breer wrote the following:

"I'm told that Richard Sherman was at no better than 80% last year, and he only got there after significant improvement in early November, right around when the Niners played the Giants. As such, San Francisco expects a much improved version of the former All-Pro, which would give the roster a boost at a position where Ahkello Witherspoon struggled last year, and Jason Verrett was added last month. Another thing that should help: Sherman had surgery to have sutures, initially put in as part of the rehab process, removed from his heel after the season, and he's felt a lot better since."

Sherman celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.

Sherman registered 37 combined tackles, a sack, four passes defensed, and allowed just one touchdown through 14 starts with the 49ers last year. He has recorded 404 combined tackles, two sacks, 103 passes defensed, 32 interceptions, two touchdowns, and five forced fumbles through his eight NFL seasons.

H/t to Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee for the find.