The 49ers may have to finish their preseason without the services of free safety Jimmie Ward, who suffered a significant hamstring injury that could keep him out through the start of the regular season. With a shortage of available players in the back end of the secondary, head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated the club would look to bring in some help at that spot.
San Francisco has one roster spot open which would allow them to add a safety with no additional maneuvers. If they want to add multiple though there’d need to be a corresponding release to keep their roster below the 85-player maximum.
Here are a handful of free agent options that stick out that the 49ers could add to help them get through the preseason and potentially into the regular season:
Tavon Wilson
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Wilson played eight games for the 49ers last year with one start before an injury cut his season short. He’s still unsigned and has the experience to step in and participate right away. If Ward’s injury is bad enough that San Francisco needs to carry another safety on the roster into the regular season, Wilson’s familiarity with the club would make him a logical candidate to take on a role similar to the one he had last season.
Jarrod Wilson
(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
This safety with the last name ‘Wilson’ had a cup of coffee with the 49ers late last season. He signed with their practice squad in early December and played in four games almost exclusively on special teams. A six-year veteran with some experience with the 49ers’ defense would make a lot of sense as a fill-in option. He was with the New York Giants for a couple weeks in this year’s training camp before being let go.
Jared Mayden
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
There’s a little bit of a question mark with Mayden, who spent part of his first two seasons with the 49ers after joining the club as an undrafted rookie in 2020. He was waived with an injury designation by the Eagles as part of their first round of roster cuts. Mayden is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in camp. If that ankle is good to go, the 49ers could bring him in knowing he’s capable of playing and soaking up some practice/game snaps right away.
Tashaun Gipson
Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Gipson may be too experienced for what the 49ers need in Ward’s absence….
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