When the San Francisco 49ers announced earlier this month which jersey numbers some of their new players had chosen for the upcoming season, cornerback Jason Verrett's and pass rusher Dee Ford's names were noticeably absent from the list. Neither had made a decision yet.
Verrett has finally made his choice. He will wear No. 34, according to 49ers team reporter Joe Fann.
#49ers number news:
Jason Verrett will wear No. 34.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) April 12, 2019
Update: Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee reminded fans that No. 34 was previously retired. It belonged to Hall of Fame running back Joe "The Jet" Perry. Fann posted an update that states Verrett will only wear the number during the offseason and preseason. He will select a new number for the regular season after 53-man roster cuts have been made and more numbers become available.
An update on this:
Jason Verrett will only wear No. 34 during training camp/preseason. He will get a new number for the regular season as 34 is retired for Joe Perry. Verrett only has it due to a numbers crunch on a 90-man roster.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) April 12, 2019
Verrett wanted to wear No. 22, the number he wore with the Los Angeles Chargers for his entire NFL career, but it belongs to running back Matt Breida. Verrett had hoped to talk to Breida to see if something could be arranged. He already had shirts, which are part of his charity work, made with his old Chargers number.
"I haven't gotten in touch with Breida, man," Verrett said during an April 5 KNBR interview. "I know he definitely made a name in that jersey, so it might be a little bit tough to get it off him. I want it. I want it bad."
The 49ers signed Verrett to a one-year deal on March 14. Injuries have plagued his NFL career in recent years, but he is confident that he is one of the league's top cornerbacks when healthy.
Verrett, 27, suffered a torn Achilles tendon on the first day of training camp in 2018, missed most of 2017 after undergoing knee surgery, and missed most of 2016 with an ACL injury.
"I know I'm definitely a top corner in this league when I'm healthy," Verrett told reporters after signing with the 49ers. "I've just got to prove it. The 49ers are giving me an opportunity to do that, and that's my plan."
The Chargers made Verrett, who played college football at Texas Christian, the No. 25 overall selection in 2014. He has recorded 80 combined tackles, 19 passes defensed, five interceptions, and a touchdown through his four NFL seasons. Verrett's last full season came in 2015 and resulted in a trip to the Pro Bowl.