The 49ers’ cornerback depth will be tested for the remainder of 2022 after Emmanuel Moseley's season-ending ACL injury.
San Francisco’s defense is seeing injuries pile up with Moseley out for the season. Defensive linemen Arik Armstead (foot/ankle) and Javon Kinlaw (ankle) and safety Jimmie Ward (hand) also have been ruled out of Sunday's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and defensive end Nick Bosa (groin) is questionable to play.
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49ers radio play-by-play announcer Greg Papa spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco on the latest episode of “49ers Talk” regarding his concerns about the defense.
“We talked about this last week: The 49ers’ defense -- historically good, maybe the best in the NFL, all the hyperboles you can throw in -- my main point is they don’t have a weakness,” Papa told Maiocco during the "Ask Papa" segment.
“If I’m the other offensive coordinator, if I’m Arthur Smith getting ready for this game with Atlanta when I looked at the first four games, I don’t see a weakness. Now, there may be a weakness.”
In what has become a next-man-up year for San Francisco after injuries to several key positions, Jason Verrett could fill the hole left behind by Moseley.
San Francisco 49ers
Papa discussed Verrett’s ability to take over once he returns after recovering from his own ACL injury that he sustained last season.
“I love Jason Verrett, but he’s had significant injuries,” Papa said. “I mean, he’s torn his ACL three times, twice on this [left] knee, so I don’t know where he’s at, but I think he’s a little bit over ways away, based on Kyle [Shanahan’s] comments.”
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The 49ers have seen players step up on offense, as Jimmy Garoppolo has replaced Trey Lance, who’s done for the year with an ankle injury, and Jeff Wilson Jr. is holding down the running back job with Elijah Mitchell out since Week 1 with an MCL sprain.
Now it will be time for the defense to have players step up, too.