Niner Noise
FanSided

Rethinking 49ers 53-man roster after first wave of 2021 cuts

By Robert Morrison

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Safeties (4)

FS Jimmie Ward

SS Tavon Wilson

FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

SS Talanoa Hufanga

PS: S Jared Mayden, S Kai Nacua

IR: SS Jaquiski Tartt

The safety position has devolved from pretty strong to difficult to figure out beyond starting free safety Jimmie Ward, who enters his ninth season with the 49ers.

And then things get… interesting, to say the least.

Jaquiski Tartt re-signed with the team in the offseason only to spend time on the COVID-19 list and then return to be placed on the PUP list, meaning he has yet to see the field during training camp. Shanahan didn’t sound particularly optimistic when asked about Tartt last week, noting that the safety “should (be able to play this season) with the timeline and everything, but it is bothering him. He isn’t ready to go yet. We thought he would be with the time that’s been given. He isn’t.”

Stepping into Tartt’s position have been camp standout Tavon Wilson and rookie Talanoa Hufanga who has shown flashes of the skills that made him 2020 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year winner in the Pac-12.

Under the circumstances, the veteran Wilson seems the most likely to start opposite Ward, but Hufanga is definitely making this team as he looks to make good on his desire to make the Pro Bowl on special teams as a rookie.

The fourth spot, at the moment, goes to former Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who will look to make up for lost time after sitting out the 2020 season.