Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has found himself among the San Francisco 49ers' inactive players for the last three games. It wasn't because of any injury either. He was last active on November 1, when all of his snaps came on special teams. That's not a good vote of confidence in the former defensive starter and impending free agent.
Witherspoon's game status could be different on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills.
"Ahkello definitely has a chance to get up this week," head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday morning on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "I expect him to. I mean, a lot of that has been special-teams decisions. We lost two guys, our starting nickel. Then we lost Ken Webster, who was a special-teams player, and he was getting up over Ahkello because of special teams.
"But now, we're down two guys, which moves Ahkello up. And I expect Ahkello to come in and play at a high level if we need him on defense, and I think he'll come out, and he'll be a better special-teams player for us this week too."
The fact that it takes so many injuries for the fourth-year cornerback even to have a chance to suit up could be a sign of how the team views Witherspoon.
"I really like Ahkello," Shanahan added. "I think Ahkello's a really good dude. I enjoy talking to him. We talked a lot over these years together. He knows what I like about his game. He knows what I dislike about his game."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Brock Purdy update: Kyle Shanahan says 49ers QB has been 'great all week'
By David Bonilla
Dec 6
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy struggled during last Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Difficult weather conditions and his recent recovery from a shoulder injury likely contributed to his performance.
This week, Purdy has been a full participant in practice and is...
Kyle Shanahan eager to see how 49ers respond to losing streak
By David Bonilla
Dec 6
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is eager to see how his team responds when they face the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The 49ers are reeling from a three-game losing streak, including two embarrassing defeats to the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, where they were...
Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy share final updates ahead of 49ers-Bears Week 14 matchup
By Site Staff
Dec 6
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy spoke with reporters after Friday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 14 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Here's everything they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers...
What Kyle Shanahan, others said after 49ers' 12-6 loss vs. Rams
By Site Staff
2 hrs
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and several others spoke with reporters after Thursday's 12-6 Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Here is what they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
49ers Head Coach Kyle...
