Niner Noise
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3 possible replacements if 49ers lose Richard Sherman to injury

By Nathan Bannerman

Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Titans cornerback Logan Ryan
Cornerback Logan Ryan #26 of the Tennessee Titans. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

No. 1: If the option of a trade or current roster player doesn’t work out, Logan Ryan will be waiting for a call

According to NBC Sports Boston’s Jacob Camenker, cornerback Logan Ryan is one of the top 15 remaining free agents left. If Sherman goes down in training camp or early in the 2020 season, Ryan could be a nice replacement.

Ryan was drafted by the New England Patriots back in 2013. In his rookie season, he picked off the quarterback five times and notched a touchdown out of it.

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But it was last season with the Tennessee Titans where he put up his season statistically. With four picks, Ryan logged 113 total tackles with just under five total sacks. Both sacks and tackles were career highs for the veteran out of Rutgers.

If you’re scratching your head wondering who Ryan is, he picked off former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC Wild Card game, essentially ending the Pats dynasty.

Ryan could easily slot in as a starter and potentially not miss a beat in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense.

Again, we’re looking at a replacement for Sherman who’s a veteran. Ryan is three years younger and, assuming his services are needed, the team goes on and makes a Super Bowl run, could sign an extension.

Ryan is a ballhawk. His coverage is tight to the receivers and has phenomenal open-field coverage.

However, he gives up the deep ball on occasion. And the 49ers were burned by the deep ball a couple of times including in the Super Bowl.

But if the team needs a quick filler due to a Sherman injury, Ryan is a solid replacement and Lynch should have him on speed-dial.

Next. 3 burning questions for the 49ers cornerbacks in 2020. dark

To state the obvious, hopefully, Richard Sherman stays healthy and is just as productive this year as he was in the past. However, the game of football doesn’t wait for anyone and the 49ers need to be prepared to replace the veteran at a moment’s notice.