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The San Francisco 49ers entered the season with their starting secondary as Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, K’Waun Williams, Jaquiski Tartt, and Jimmie Ward. Seven weeks into the season, and the Niners will only have Moseley on the field.
In fact, I would go as far as to say the 49ers are in good hands with their backup safeties.
Moore, Harris and Cyprien each have experience as starters. Moore and Harris specifically have started for the 49ers and played relatively well. Harris can take on Tartt’s role skulking around the box while Moore can shadow the slot and play single-high safety.
Cyprien would be the one player with a bit of concern since he was barely brought on during training camp, but I would not worry about him. The moment Cyprien stepped onto the practice field, he was making the most plays out of everyone in the secondary. It was pretty absurd to see considering he reeled in three interceptions in a matter of just one week of practice.
So Cyprien should fit in quite nicely on Sunday and see a decent amount of run.
NFL picks Week 7: Expert predictions for Patriots vs. 49ers game
The Patriots haven’t lost three consecutive games since 2002, and most experts are not expecting head coach Bill Belichick’s team to match that on Sunday. Oddsmakers also like the Pats’ chances of victory in Week 7 — New England is a 2.5-point betting favorite.
Phil Perry’s latest Patriots mailbag: Newton’s play, trade deadline options
Here’s a roundup of notable expert predictions for Patriots vs. 49ers.
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Patriots
Staff consensus, Bleacher Report: 49ers
Albert Breer, MMQB (Sports Illustrated): Patriots
Jenny Vrentas, MMQB (Sports Illustrated): Patriots
Jori Epstein, USA TODAY: Patriots
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: Patriots
Bill Bender, Sporting News: 49ers
Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Patriots
Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Patriots
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Patriots
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots
Mike Clay, ESPN: Patriots
Trey Wingo, ESPN: Patriots
Mina Kimes, ESPN: 49ers
FiveThirtyEight: Patriots 54 percent, 49ers 46 percent
Jets EDGE Tarell Basham is also a pending free agent in 2021. But with a cap hit of $825,000 this season, he’s affordable before he hits the open market and can help bolster the depth behind Hyder, Jordan Willis and Arik Armstead.
While the 27-year-old Basham hasn’t quite panned out as an elite edge rusher — he has five sacks over his three-plus-year career — he’s managed to get eight pressures on the season, and that might be good enough for a situational role.
General manager John Lynch has been the point person for trade discussions. Pettis has been a disappointment and made little impact with the 49ers after an encouraging end to his rookie season in 2018.
“I know John has taken a number of calls on it,” Shanahan said. “I know he’s made some. It’s stuff that we do right now. We’ll see if it can help us. If it does, we won’t hesitate to do it. But nothing is imminent.”
The NFL trading deadline is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3.
“I think just coming out this was the best fit for me in terms of what I’m able to do, my skill set and the scheme of this offense,” Hasty said on Thursday. “I feel like they were the best fit for me as a player.
“That’s my reason for coming here and also to be coached by a legend in coach Bobby T. You can’t pass that up.”
“I think coach Turner is a legend at this job,” Hasty said. “He doesn’t let you get comfortable he always pushes you every day, he’s always coaching. That’s something that I can definitely respect and appreciate as a player.”
49ers safety Ward won’t play vs. Patriots due to quad strain
Starting free safety Jimmie Ward on Friday landed on the team’s injury report with a status of “out” for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. Ward strained his quadriceps during practice on Thursday, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
The 49ers already knew they will not have the services of strong safety Jaquiski Tartt, who is out with a groin injury. Tartt and Ward have started all six games together this season at the 49ers’ safety positions.
Marcell Harris will start for Tartt. Tarvarius Moore would be next up into the starting lineup in place of Ward, but Shanahan did not disclose who will start. The 49ers would likely elevate veteran safety Johnathan Cyprien from the practice squad to fill a spot on the team’s 48-player game-day roster.