49ers training camp: 5 fringe players who are improving roster chances

Deommodore Lenoir #38 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Deommodore Lenoir #38 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Tarvarius Moore, San Francisco 49ers, training camp
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Tarvarius Moore (33) Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers fringe player No. 4: Defensive back Tarvarius Moore

After suffering a torn Achilles during the offseason a year ago and despite the Niners bidding farewell to veteran safety Jaquiski Tartt before camp, fifth-year pro defensive back Tarvarius Moore was anything but a lock to make the 53-man roster.

With Jimmie Ward all but locked in at free safety and San Francisco all but handing Tartt’s former job at strong safety to second-year pro Talanoa Hufanga, it was easy to see why Moore could be the odd man out.

However, recording two interceptions on a single day of camp practices should work well in his favor.

The 49ers experimented with the former third-round NFL Draft pick as a big-nickel safety back in 2019 and for parts of 2020, and it appears as if that’ll be his use this season if he makes the roster. Hufanga’s lack of straight-line speed could relegate him almost solely to in-the-box duties, whereas Moore’s speed is of note.

Provided he’s fully recovered and stays healthy, Moore might actually be carving out a niche for himself on the 53-man roster instead of being on the bubble.