Adrian

Amos

The 31-year-old vet appears likely to be an elevation this week as the 49ers try to fill a void at safety after injuries to Talanoa Hufanga and Malik Mustapha. Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum were the only two healthy safeties on the 49ers active roster heading into the week. Amos played in 16 games last year for the Jets and Texans and had 23 solo tackles and one pass defensed.

Amos appeared in 11 games with the Jets this season before getting waived prior to Week 13. The Texans now add Amos to a solid safety room that includes Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward. DeMeco Ryans’ defense has been humming lately, with three picks in Week 13’s win over the Broncos. Adding Amos, a former Bear and Packer, gives the Texans depth for a playoff push.

Amos has appeared in all 11 games as a reserve/special teamer this season but had yet to make a start. Making $1.75 million, the remainder of his salary might not be a particularly attractive waiver claim.

Acquired in a trade with the Ravens in March, Clark, 28, reportedly sustained the knee injury during New York’s minicamp. Rosenblatt said it appears to be a long-term injury that could cost Clark most or all of the 2023 season. The Jets signed former Packers S Adrian Amos shortly after Clark went down. The Clark injury is a blow to a Jets secondary graded by PFF as last season’s third best coverage unit.

Amos joins Jordan Whitehead and Chuck Clark as veteran paid safeties in New York, possibly hinting at some three-safety looks for the Jets. It doesn’t say much for what the Jets think of their in-house safety depth, but Amos should provide a presence in the back end. He visited the Ravens and was reportedly not off Green Bay’s list at safety earlier this offseason.

Amos had a visit with the Ravens in March, but has otherwise picked up little public interest in free agency. Green Bay’s current safety depth chart after the draft has Rudy Ford and Darnell Savage at the top, and neither exactly covered themselves in glory last season. “We’ve been in communication with him along the way, so we’ll see where that goes,” Gutekunst added.

The Ravens would restore some versatility with this addition. They moved on from Chuck Clark this offseason, trading the veteran to the Jets for a small amount of draft compensation. Kyle Hamilton has been slated as the starter at safety, but he could move around more if the Ravens found another safety they were comfortable with on the backend.

Amos practiced on a limited basis the last two days but still needs to clear the concussion protocol. Making the trip to London is a good sign for Amos playing this week. The Packers will turn to Tariq Carpenter (questionable, core) or Dallin Leavitt at safety if Amos isn’t cleared.

Amos left the game in the first quarter and was quickly declared done for the day. It’s another loss for a Green Bay secondary already missing CB Jaire Alexander. The coverage unit injuries could be an issue in Week 5 against the Giants.

The deal will pay Amos $21 million in the first two seasons. The Packers have traditionally treaded lightly early in free agency, but they made three big moves on Tuesday morning, also adding OLBs Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Amos has been a solid, consistent contributor throughout his career and should immediately upgrade the secondary. This is a good signing.