Dre

Kirkpatrick

Kirkpatrick was inactive Monday night with an ankle injury. It signals that the 49ers might be willing to play Ambry Thomas or Deommodore Lenoir over a slogging veteran signed off the streets. Kirkpatrick’s contributions to the team included getting run over by Eno Benjamin in Week 9.

The 49ers just lost starting corner Jason Verrett to a season-ending ACL injury so a veteran signing was bound to come. Kirkpatrick made a handful of visits this year, including one to San Francisco, but no team took a shot on the 31-year-old before the start of the season. He started 11 games for the Cardinals in 2020 and defended seven passes while adding a trio of interceptions. Fitzpatrick’s play has dipped in recent years but he’s a solid signing for a team in need of an experienced option at corner.

32-year-old Kirkpatrick has gradually declined across his career with the Bengals (and during last year’s 11 starts for Arizona) but the Saints are admittedly in need of a league-average player across from Marshon Lattimore. Kirkpatrick also visited with the Patriots recently and will likely be signed in the next few weeks given his number of interested suitors.

The longtime Bengal started 11 games for the Cardinals last season, notching three picks and seven deflections. Headed into his age-32 campaign, Kirkpatrick did earn subpar PFF marks last season after a gradual decline in Cincinnati. He would provide experienced depth for the league’s brightest defensive mind in New England after Jason McCourty recently left in free agency.

Kirkpatrick is a starter and has played admirably for a defense that’s played over expectations this season. Expect CB Patrick Peterson to defend DeVante Parker with Preston Williams and Mike Gesicki as secondary options for Tua Tagovailoa in the desert.

Neither practiced Friday and look to be on the wrong side of their questionable tags. The Cardinals have also ruled out S Budda Baker, who underwent thumb surgery this week. All three players are top-10 in defensive snaps for Arizona this season, setting up the Panthers for a nice spot at home.

The veteran reunites with Arizona defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who coached Kirkpatrick in Cincinnati. The signing comes after the Cardinals lost CB Robert Alford to IR. 30-year-old Kirkpatrick played six games for the Bengals last season, his ninth in Cincinnati.

Kirkpatrick has went unsigned since getting released as a cap casualty in March. He played for DC Vance Joseph for two years in Cincy and could be a fit in Arizona. The Cardinals need corners after losing Robert Alford to IR.

This was expected following the additions of Trae Waynes and slot CB Mackenzie Alexander in free agency. A six-game starter in ’19 before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, Kirkpatrick’s release saves the team $8.29 million against their books this upcoming season. The former first-round pick ends his tenure in Cincinnati with 10 interceptions and 65 deflections across 99 appearances (including 67 starts) under his belt. He’ll likely land as competition in nickel packages elsewhere prior to the draft.

Kirkpatrick hyperextended his knee last month and wasn’t showing much improvement. Cincinnati promoted LB Hardy Nickerson from their practice squad in the corresponding roster move. B.W. Webb will continue to fill in at corner for the 0-9 Bengals.