Niner Noise
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49ers vs. Chargers: 5 matchups to watch for San Francisco in Week 4

By Peter Panacy

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Linebackers Manny Lawson #99 and Parys Haralson #98 of the San Francisco 49ers tackle tight end Randy McMichael #81 of the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Linebackers Manny Lawson #99 and Parys Haralson #98 of the San Francisco 49ers tackle tight end Randy McMichael #81 of the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 19: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 19: Ahkello Witherspoon #41 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon vs. Wide Receiver Mike Williams

There’s no easy way around it, but second-year 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon hasn’t been good this season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Witherspoon’s 37.7 overall grade ranks 122nd out of 123 qualifying corners so far into 2018. And while he has been hobbled by an ankle injury, it’s safe to say the Niners defense is going to rely heavily on the hopes Witherspoon can regain the prowess he showed last season.

Especially with San Francisco’s No. 1 cornerback, Richard Sherman, out with a calf injury.

Witherspoon, at 6-foot-2, is one of the few Niners defensive backs with the body size to contend with Chargers second-year wide receiver Mike Williams, who stands at 6-foot-4. After a sluggish rookie season, Williams has come on strong in year two, posting 11 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns — already eclipsing the numbers he posted in 2017.

If the 49ers beleaguered defense hopes to bounce back after an ugly showing against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, Witherspoon will have to be a key part of the equation fixes.