SF 49ers vs. NY Jets: 4 players who’ll be under the microscope in Week 2
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon
San Francisco is going to be without veteran cornerback Richard Sherman for at least the next three weeks, as he landed on short-term injured reserve with a leg injury stemming from Week 1.
And with fellow corner Jason Verrett apparently still rehabbing from a hamstring injury suffered during training camp, the onus is now on fourth-year corner Ahkello Witherspoon to bounce back from what’s been an up-and-down career and potentially reassume a would-be starting role for the long run.
Witherspoon, much like his career to date, was up and down in training camp, some days looking like a true starting-caliber corner while others were nowhere near as impressive.
Fortunately, the Jets offense isn’t exactly prolific through the air. But one of their weapons, wide receiver Jamison Crowder, figures to be a featured part of what New York will want to do through the air.
Crowder, after all, managed seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown during the Jets’ Week 1 loss versus the Bills.
It’s likely Crowder will move over the field, but Witherspoon will be the defensive back San Francisco fans will monitor the most.
How well he performs will be a good indication of whether or not the SF 49ers can navigate this period of time without Sherman in the fray.