The San Francisco 49ers secondary has some question marks, and while we don’t have final answers, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh offered up some insight into the team’s approach.
Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt has been dealing with a shoulder injury that limited him in practice last week. He aggravated the injury in the fourth quarter against the Lions, and is now missing practice in advance of the Chiefs game. He sat out Wednesday practice, and his status is uncertain for Sunday. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Antone Exum, Tyvis Powell, and D.J. Reed are all getting work at strong safety. If Tartt cannot go on Sunday, I could see the team releasing linebacker Terence Garvin to promote Powell from the practice squad.
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is dealing with an ankle injury, and was listed as limited on Wednesday. Saleh would not commit to him being in the starting lineup on Sunday, but that could have as much to do with the ankle as with his struggles last week against Detroit. Richard Sherman hopes Witherspoon gets back into the starting lineup, but how he responds in practice will impact things.