SF 49ers: Counting down the top 10 plays of 2020 season
By Robert Smith
SF 49ers Top Play No. 4: Jason Verrett’s interception under the bright lights
This next play is the culmination of determination and perseverance for a talented player.
During the course of his six-year career, cornerback Jason Verrett struggled to stay healthy. He appeared in just six regular-season games between 2016 and 2019, and many questioned why the SF 49ers brought him back for this season after seeing a mere two snaps his first go-around with the team in 2019.
Verrett’s talent, however, has never been questioned. The former first-round pick of the San Diego Chargers performed well when healthy, even garnering a Pro Bowl selection after the 2015 season.
That was the kind of performance the Niners were hoping from with Verrett this season. And almost true to form in prime time against the Rams, Verrett hauled in his first interception since 2016:
With the Rams trailing 21-9 with 2:39 left in the third quarter, they had a 4th-and goal from just inside the 2-yard line when Rams quarterback Jared Goff dropped back looking for wide receiver Josh Reynolds towards the corner of the end zone.
Instead, Verrett reached up and hauled in the pick.
The SF 49ers went on to a 24-16 victory, and Verrett’s interception played a huge part. After going through what must have been one of the most difficult stretches for any player dealing with injuries, coming back under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football with a pick against a divisional opponent had to feel like justification.