49ers vs. Texans: 5 players to watch in preseason Week 2

4 of 6

SEATTLE, WA – JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks takes the field for the 2014 NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Cornerback Richard Sherman

Fortunately, new 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (it’s been five months and it still feels weird saying that) has had a remarkably quick recovery from his Grade 1 hamstring strain.

He is also coming off of a torn Achilles. And while he has looked solid in practice so far, he still has not experienced any game action since last November.

Saturday will be his first opportunity to step out on the field and go up against NFL wide receivers, and one of the best in DeAndre Hopkins at that.

It should be a really good matchup to watch — the obvious narrative for this one is “Can one of the league’s previously best cornerbacks still match up well against a top receiver in his prime?”

Well, we’re about to find out.

And we’re also about to see Sherman in the red and gold for the first time ever, which will undoubtedly make me (and most 49ers fans) feel quite odd.