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While there are a number of positions where the 49ers are finding players returning—wide receiver, linebacker, running back—nickel corner is not one of those positions. After K’Waun Williams suffered a high ankle sprain and Jamar Taylor tore his ACL last week against the Los Angeles Rams, the team was set to turn to Emmanuel Moseley.
Nope.
Moseley suffered a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of Monday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills, meaning San Francisco will have to turn to its fourth-string option which… is unclear. In training camp, the team worked Moseley and Tarvarius Moore at the position behind Taylor, and Jimmie Ward obviously has nickel experience, but is invaluable in a flexible safety role.
The team could opt to put Marcell Harris back at strong safety and Moore at nickel, though Harris has looked much more comfortable in a linebacker role and it’s unclear how comfortable Moore would be in the slot.
The other, perhaps more likely options, are Ahkello Witherspoon and Dontae Johnson. Jason Verrett could potentially be put in the slot with Witherspoon used as an outside corner, or vice versa (though Verrett projects better as a nickel than Witherspoon). Johnson could potentially be tipped to play there as well.
In addition to Moseley, the following three players are inactive:
- CB K’Waun Williams (ankle)
- WR Trent Taylor (healthy)
- RB Austin Walter (healthy)
With Taylor out, someone new will return punts for the 49ers, with Richie James Jr. the most likely candidate.