Jason Verrett has been a pleasant surprise for the San Francisco 49ers this season. The oft-injured cornerback earned the highest grade from either team during Sunday's 24-16 49ers victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Verrett is San Francisco's highest-graded defender this season and the NFL's third-highest graded cornerback (behind Jaire Alexander and Jamel Dean). He didn't allow a reception on Sunday night and is playing because Richard Sherman has been sidelined since Week 1. It won't be easy to take him off the field, though, once the defense gets healthier.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport has been impressed with Verrett's play and the 49ers' patience with the veteran cornerback.
"He is such a good guy," Rapoport said of Verrett on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "The world is full of good people, so it's not like you deserve a medal for that, but just personally, I've met him, I've communicated with him. He is a great guy. I know plenty of people close to him. And every time he's had an injury, it's just kind of like a punch in the stomach."
Verrett has landed on injured reserve in all but one of his previous six NFL seasons, including last season — his first with San Francisco.
"I remember when I reported his [torn Achilles] during the conditioning test with the Chargers (in 2018), which I think was the last straw there," Rapoport continued. "It was heartbreaking because you're like, 'What has this guy done to deserve any of this?' And the answer is, of course, nothing.
"And then the 49ers just kept him around, kept him around at a low cost, not a lot of risk, but just kept giving him a chance, and I think he deserves it. And then if he stays healthy this year and continues to play like he's been playing — I think everyone knows Alex Smith will be the Comeback Player of the Year, but Verrett should get a serious mention because it's been awesome.
"And you need these types of performances if you're going to deal with all the injuries like the 49ers have dealt with."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rapoport below.