Bradley Pinion will be ‘ready to roll’ on Sunday

The 49ers already have a slew of established veteran standouts on defense, with players such as Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Jason Verrett, Jimmie Ward, and Arik Armstead leading what should be a talented mix. But there may be three more players ready to join that group this season, according to defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Ryans was asked during a media session on Wednesday which players he feels are in a position to make a big leap once the season gets underway. The first player he singled out was defensive tackle Kevin Givens, who has shown some flashes in a reserve role since joining the 49ers as an undrafted rookie out of Penn State in 2019. Givens had 19 tackles and a sack in 13 games last season after playing in just one game as a rookie. "I look at a

49ers veteran defensive backs Jason Verrett and Jimmie Ward seem to really like what they've seen so far out of the team's defensive rookies. But while Verrett and Ward are excited about their new teammates to this point, there may come a time when they as veterans need to show the rookies some tough love. And when that time comes, Ward at least seems to be ready. Verrett and Ward were asked about cornerback and third-round pick Ambry Thomas, cornerback and fifth-round pick Deommodore Lenoir, and safety and fifth-round pick Talanoa Hufanga while speaking with team beat reporters on Wednesday. Verrett seemed to be impressed with Lenoir in particular. "D-Mo, that's a guy that I think has come along real well just from the first time of seeing the film