5 former San Francisco 49ers who could come out of retirement to play
By Peter Panacy
Former 49ers No. 4: Safety Donte Whitner
He might have only spent three seasons with the 49ers between 2011 and 2013. But those three years were pretty spectacular for both the Niners and former safety Donte Whitner, who’d eventually go on to play with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 and is now out of the league, working as a 49ers analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area.
During those Super Bowl-contending years, Whitner paired with fellow safety Dashon Goldson to form one of the most intimidating defensive backfields in the NFL, and San Francisco could stand for that kind of physicality heading into this upcoming season.
Like the situation at linebacker, the 49ers don’t have a ton of room in the backfield. Free safety Jimmie Ward just inked a new deal to stay with San Francisco, while strong safety Jaquiski Tartt is a shoo-in starter.
But Tartt is entering a contract year (like that matters in this fun exercise), and both Ward and Tartt have a bit of an injury history.
The experience and playmaking prowess of Whitner as a reserve for both spots?
Yes, please.