Cardinals vs. 49ers: 5 San Francisco storylines to watch in Week 9

No. 2: How Will Rookie Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon Hold Up?

Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon got his first start in Week 7, taking over for the oft-penalized and now-traded Rashard Robinson.

Witherspoon’s efforts were pretty solid, enough to convince Pro Football Focus he deserved an 88.1 game grade:

According to head coach Kyle Shanahan (h/t Joe Fann of 49ers.com), this was reason enough to move Robinson and let Witherspoon see more on-field reps. Unlike last week, however, Witherspoon won’t have to contend with a high-level quarterback, like Philly’s Carson Wentz, delivering the ball. But Witherspoon will have to worry about some some serious receiving threats.

In two-wide formations, Witherspoon will likely be matched up against the veteran and future Hall of Famer, Larry Fitzgerald. But the Cardinals love to operate Fitzgerald out of the slot on three-wide formations, pushing fellow receiver John Brown into the mix.

Keep an eye on this matchup for Witherspoon and San Francisco. It will be a good indication how the rookie’s development is coming.