With only one preseason game over, the San Francisco 49ers are already dealing with a slew of injuries.
Running back Christian McCaffrey (calf), linebacker Fred Warner (foot), and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) are among the team’s injured players, which also included defensive tackle Kalia Davis and cornerback Ambry Thomas last week.
Thomas will have surgery on August 13 after breaking his right arm in the 49ers’ 17-13 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans. Following Thomas’ injury, which was far from a roster lock, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder identified free agency cornerback Stephon Gilmore as a player the 49ers should sign right away.
Is this something that the Niners should consider? Let us break it down.
Would CB Stephon Gilmore Take Less Money to Sign With the 49ers?
Holder feels Gilmore, who turns 34 in September, would be prepared to accept a lower salary to play for a consistent contender.
“With Ambry Thomas breaking his forearm in the 49ers’ first preseason game, the team’s defense is losing some depth at cornerback,” Holder wrote on August 12th.
Holder feels Gilmore, who turns 34 in September, would be prepared to accept a lower salary to play for a consistent contender.
“With Ambry Thomas breaking his forearm in the 49ers’ first preseason game, the team’s defense is losing some depth at cornerback,” Holder wrote on August 12th.
“That creates an opportunity for the front office to bring Gilmore in, who would likely be willing to take a cheaper contract to play for a legitimate contender.”
Gilmore was selected Defensive Player of the Year following an outstanding 2019 season with the New England Patriots. He concluded the season with 53 tackles, 20 passes defensed, and six interceptions, leading the NFL. He returned two of those interceptions for scores. While he is no longer that type of player, he might still be a useful addition to teams with secondary needs.
At the moment, the Niners surely qualify.
Gilmore injured his quadriceps and knees in 2020, and a groin ailment limited him to eight games in 2021. He has remained healthy for the full 2022 and 2023 seasons, though.
Gilmore started all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season, recording 68 total tackles, a forced fumble, 13 pass breakups, and two interceptions. He is on the elder side of the spectrum, but he definitely still has something to contribute.
49ers Canceled Joint Practices With Saints Because of Injuries
San Francisco’s injury problems have gotten so terrible that the team has opted to cancel its joint August 15 and 16 practices with the New Orleans Saints.
“We had about 23 guys miss practice last Thursday (August 8), who couldn’t play in the game, and the majority of them were starters and things like that,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan stated on August 12.
“It was tough because we like to do it,” Shanahan said of the joint sessions.
“In the end, I waited so long to make the decision because we both enjoy doing it. We recognized we were doing it for enjoyment and to break up the monotony. Given our team’s current injury situation, it wasn’t the wisest decision. I enjoy doing such stuff and going out there, but the risk was too great. “It outweighed the reward.”
The 49ers are also without cornerback Isaac Yiadom, who should be available when the regular season begins.
“I suppose he’s a couple weeks or one week away. “I forgot to ask,” Shanahan remarked of Yiadom. “He rolled his ankle during a walk-through last week.” “They said it would be a few weeks.”
While top cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir aren’t injured (knock on wood, Niners fans), it wouldn’t hurt to add a seasoned vet to the secondary to improve depth. Gilmore may be the best available. Will John Lynch and his team make an effort to add him? We will know soon enough.
