49ers training camp 2021: 5 hottest storylines so far

No. 1: 49ers cornerback depth is a glowing issue

Not all of San Francisco’s top training camp takeaways can be positive. And it’s possible the most glaring one, the lack of cornerback depth, could be a massive weakness once the regular season rolls around.

The 49ers are already down two cornerbacks early — Emmanuel Moseley on the reserve/COVID list and Dontae Johnson dealing with a foot issue — meaning Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams are effectively the only two starting-caliber corners on the practice field.

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Both have sizable injury histories, too, so the Niners better be hoping they stay healthy and effective from now through the end of the season.

San Francisco already lost patience with one of its depth candidates, Tim Harris Jr., who was waived a day after getting work with the first-team unit, prompting the team to sign journeyman veteran corner B.W. Webb on Wednesday.

So far to date, neither of the 49ers’ two rookie cornerbacks, Ambry Thomas or Deommodore Lenior, have made a sizable impact to suggest they’d be capable of starting in a pinch.

For now, they remain developmental pieces at best.

Moseley needs to return and play well. Johnson has to stay healthy as a primary reserve. And the Niners better hope both Verrett and Williams enjoy a clean slate of health, too.

Otherwise, it could be a long year for San Francisco’s defensive backfield.