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Fooch's Note: More to come, but 49ers announce Mario Manningham, Eric Wright BOTH activated.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is expected to be released later today to go with the activation of cornerback Eric Wright. That was followed by ESPN reporting Nnamdi had actually been cut. Matt Maiocco is now reporting the 49ers informed Nnamdi they had waived him.
The 49ers signed Nnamdi Asomugha to a one-year contract this past offseason, but the emergence of Tramaine Brock, and Wright's potential future with the team, has made Nnamdi expendable. After the trade deadline, all players are subject to waivers. The other 31 teams will have a chance to claim him before he becomes a free agent.
The only real "disappointment" in this release is that it makes the success of Kansas City Chiefs' cornerback Marcus Cooper all the more frustrating. The 49ers released Cooper and Darryl Morris at the end of roster cuts. Morris made it through waivers, while Cooper was claimed by the Chiefs. Through the first nine weeks, Cooper has proven to be a strong option at cornerback.
While it is frustrating, my only response is "that's life." Had the 49ers kept Marcus Cooper, odds are pretty good he would have been playing mostly special teams. Sure, he could have eventually emerged at cornerback. Nnamdi Asomugha took firm control of the nickel job when Tramaine Brock was injured in training camp (per Vic Fangio), and then lost it when he got hurt and Tramaine Brock took over. I suppose we could have seen Cooper emerge early on in that manner, but at the end of the day, it's all woulda, coulda, shoulda.
Wright can play all around the field, including over the slot. Wright was on the NFI list dealing with some personal issues, but he has been back practicing the last couple weeks. It will be interesting to see how the team works him into the mix. Thus far, Tarell Brown, Carlos Rogers and Tramaine Brock have been the primary trio. Perrish Cox has been next off the bench, but will that change with Wright in the mix, too?