Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Jimmie Ward is in competition with Tarvarius Moore for the San Francisco 49ers' starting free safety job.
Or is he?
Ward took part in his first full practice this week since fracturing his collarbone in May. Then he suited up and showed off his versatility on Saturday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ward played both free safety and nickel cornerback during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium, and finished the night with three tackles and even drew an offensive pass-interference penalty.
Ward played nickel because regular slot man, K'Waun Williams, is out with a knee injury. It's an injury that could run into the regular season so Ward's versatility might be an asset for the 49ers, assuming he can stay healthy himself. He hasn't had much luck in that department in the past. Ward has landed on injured reserve in four of his five NFL seasons.
The 49ers seem impressed with Moore's development at safety after playing him at cornerback during his rookie year. Moore entered the game at free safety when Ward moved to the nickel spot.
After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed Ward's versatility and play against the Chiefs.
"Jimmie's a football player," Shanahan told reporters. "It doesn't matter whether he's hurt or how long he's been out. When you allow him to go, he's going. He's been that way in practice all week.
"I know we threw him out there today, and I think he was able to play both nickel and free safety. From what I saw, he played pretty well."
Linebacker Kwon Alexander, who made his 49ers debut on Saturday night, was also impressed with Ward.
"Jimmie from [Alabama]," Alexander said after the game. "Bama boys, we ball. I know Jimmie's a dog. He's going to go out there and do his thing. He showed up today."
Shanahan indicated that
maybe Ward's role this season, at least at the start, might not be as a safety after all, especially if Williams isn't ready to go for Week 1.
"The good thing about Jimmie, and it's also been a tough thing for him throughout his whole career, he's sometimes the best or second-best player at every single position, depending on what personnel is out there on offense," Shanahan continued. "You've got an option to put him at a lot of places. We definitely want to put him at safety, but we have had some injuries, and his injury opened up some room for Tarvarius. I know those two are competing in that area.
"We're going to have our best guys on the field, and you have a lot of options with Jimmie."
It sure sounds like Shanahan and the coaches might consider utilizing Ward's versatility this season, move him to another position, and let Moore take over the free safety spot.
The San Francisco 49ers are likely hoping that a top offensive lineman drops to them at No. 31 in the first round of this month's draft. Fans would like to see the team add someone to compete with Colton McKivitz for the right tackle spot and potentially take over for Trent Williams when the future Hall of Famer decides to retire.
Having two studs bookending the offensive line would go a long way in protecting franchise quarterback Brock Purdy. While tackle may be the first-round target, depending on how the first 30 selections play out, San Francisco might have to trade up to get a genuinely impactful
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
