Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers
Cornerback
Jason Verrett has struggled to get onto and stay on the football field during his NFL career. He was labeled as injury-prone after landing on injured reserve during five of his first six pro seasons.
It was a bit of a surprise when the San Francisco 49ers re-signed Verrett to a one-year deal in April. It turned out to be a good move. Richard Sherman landed on injured reserve after Week 1, and Verrett has since filled in for the veteran, regaining the Pro Bowl form he displayed in 2015.
"You're just so excited and so happy to see that because of everything he's been through,"
Sherman said last month. "I mean, some of the most devastating injuries after injury after injury, and then setback after setback. And you just want the best for him, and he's out there showing the world that he's an elite corner."
Verrett's Pro Football Focus grade of 78.3 ranks as the fifth-highest among cornerbacks with over 300 snaps. He was
among three 49ers players named to the analytics site's 2020 Midseason All-Pro Team.
"Jason Verrett is one of the comeback stories of the season," wrote Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus. "He had played just four snaps on defense since the beginning of the 2018 season, and 327 since the start of 2016, but he has surpassed that total this year alone while establishing himself as one of the best cover guys in the league."
Even when Sherman returns, Verrett's play has proven that he, too, will need to remain on the field.
Constant injuries can take a mental toll on a player. Verrett pushed forward, though, never giving up. Now, he is reaping the rewards and proving to everyone that he can be among the best in the NFL.
"I'm just embracing it," Verrett told 49ers team reporter Keiana Martin this week on the
49ers Unscripted podcast. "It was tough going through the last four years, dealing with being on IR, rehabbing, and all of that. But now, coming out of it full circle, being healthy, I'm just embracing it. I look forward to always speaking about it to where I can help other people, inspire other people in any way. I'm just embracing the story."
Verrett remembers his free-agency visit with the 49ers last year. Quickly signing with the team wasn't a difficult decision.
"The visit was dope," Verrett said. "Just seeing the camaraderie between all the coaches, the players that were there during my visit. Dee Ford, Kwon Alexander — both were there. Just seeing everything that they were showing that I didn't see (during) my time with the Chargers.
"But I think the training staff, the plan that they had for me physically, as far as getting back to speed and all of that, I think those are the top things that kind of stood out for me in wanting to sign."
Verrett admits that signing with the Niners created some conflicting feelings among his family. The cornerback grew up in Fairfield, California, so they naturally grew up as fans of the then-local Raiders.
"They kind of really wasn't feeling it, at first, me signing with San Fran," Verrett explained. "I even grew up not liking the Niners, so it's kind of crazy how things turned out. But they're embracing it, enjoying the ride."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Verrett below.
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 3 contest against the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
George Kittle suffered a groin injury on September 5. After missing Weeks 1 and 2, he looks on track to make his 2022 season debut. The tight end was a limited participant in practice for the second time this week and could be suited up in Denver this weekend.
After practice, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was asked if it felt like old times having Kittle back at practice.
"It's getting there," he responded.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead sustained a foot injury against Seattle. He missed his second consecutive practice.
Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill continues to miss
Just like he did on so many occasions from 2017 to 2021, Jimmy Garoppolo took to the podium on Thursday to talk with reporters as the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback.
Only this time the feeling was a little different, based on the unusual circumstances surrounding the current 49ers' quarterback situation. After an offseason and preseason full of speculation over where the 49ers would send him in a trade, Garoppolo now finds himself preparing for the 49ers' Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos after the player who was expected to replace him, Trey Lance, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the team's 27-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. The last several weeks have been a roller coaster ride for Garoppolo, who went from being trade bait earlier in the
The sooner everyone moves on from the 49ers' dreadful 11-10 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night the better. But first, let's tie up some loose ends to come from Sunday's postgame interviews.
Much of the postgame discussion surrounded the performance of the 49ers' offense, which was poor enough to squander a defensive effort that held the Broncos' offense to just nine points. But there was also some honesty regarding the loss of left tackle Trent Williams, some insight from head coach Kyle Shanahan on why he declined an important first half penalty, and much more.
Let's get into a roundup of some of Sunday's postgame comments in this edition of 49ers Notebook.
George Kittle's honesty on the loss of Trent Williams and the performance of the
There's a lot to unpack from Monday night's 49ers' win over the Los Angeles Rams, which was filled with big plays and one particularly bizarre moment that came from a fan that jumped on the field.
The 49ers got a big performance from their defense, who produced seven sacks and two takeaways while keeping the Rams out of the end zone in a 24-9 victory. Meanwhile, the offense took some steps forward with the help of a highlight moment from Deebo Samuel after an ugly performance in last week's 11-10 loss to the Denver Broncos. And along the way, a fan who appeared to be making a protest while covered in pink smoke ran across the field before getting decked by Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner.
What did the 49ers think about Samuel's touchdown, and Wagner's hit? And how
