49ers: 5 players who need to bounce back in Week 2 vs. Lions

San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who need to bounce back in Week 2 vs. Lions

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Stefan Logan #11 of the Detroit Lions returning a punt gets tripped up by C.J. Spillman #27 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of an NFL football game at Candlestick Park on September 16, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 25: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts drops a pass while defended by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

He didn’t have a terrible day, per se, but second-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon did give up a 22-yard touchdown to Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a play which Witherspoon failed to turn his head and locate the pass from Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1038846883492331520

That was the only catch Witherspoon gave up on the day, which is good. But it was a major play, as the Niners defense largely did its job containing Cousins and Co. up to that point in the contest.

The Lions are a pass-first team, and wide receivers — as Niner Noise’s Aaron Tan broke down here — will be crucial in rectifying all the offensive woes Detroit had in its own Week 1 meltdown.

So that means a lot of likely work for Witherspoon this Sunday. On a positive note, Witherspoon has shown the knack for rarely making the same mistake twice. So his coverage gaffe against Diggs is hopefully going to wind up being a teachable moment.

Let’s hope it pays off in Week 2.