Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Early look at 10 players on the 2018 roster bubble

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pushed out of bounds by Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pushed out of bounds by Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers sacks Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers sacks Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Safety Jimmie Ward

Former first-round draftee, safety Jimmie Ward, has landed on season-ending injured reserve in three of his four pro campaigns.

Last year, it was a broken forearm that did him in during Week 8. Combine that with a hamstring injury that held him out of training camp and the preseason, and it’s safe to say Ward is pretty injury prone.

Safety figures to be one of the more crowded positions for the 49ers this upcoming season. True, veteran strong safety Eric Reid is a pending free agent. But fellow defensive back Jaquiski Tartt appears poised to take over that starting job.

And with seventh-round draftee Adrian Colbert nicely assuming starting duties over the latter half of 2017, Ward might be something of an excess commodity.

It’s possible the Niners move Ward back to cornerback — the position he first played after being drafted by San Francisco in 2014. Plus, general manager John Lynch hinted at the team being excited about his eventual return.

Cornerback is a need, but is Ward worthy of the placement here? Sure, he’d be an upgrade over No. 2 corner Dontae Johnson (a pending free agent). But if San Francisco lands another corner in free agency or high in the NFL Draft, keeping Ward around much longer seems doubtful.