Coming into training camp, all eyes were on San Francisco 49ers cornerback Renardo Green. The last memory everyone had of him was head coach Kyle Shanahan laying into him on the sideline, and many wondered if the Niners would try to replace him in the offseason.
Though they ending up retaining the corner, they brought in some reinforcements to compete for the starting role. Free agent signings Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs turned up the pressure, as did Ephesians Prysock when he was selected in the fourth round. Green seemed to respond well to the challenge, as most reports indicated he looked good in training camp.
Yet, he suffered an unfortunate hamstring injury after San Francisco's preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, adding uncertainty to the cornerback competition.
Maybe it ends up being a minor issue, and Green is good to go by Week 1. But if it lingers, the Niners will have to start someone else opposite Deommodore Lenoir.
Expect it to come down to Jones and Prysock.
49ers could have intriguing youth vs. experience battle on thier hands
Both have impressed in the preseason so far. They’ve made good plays on the ball and have looked solid in pass coverage. Prysock’s wide wingspan makes him especially interesting, as it seems like he can get a hand on anything.
Jones is obviously the more experienced option. He, too, has made a number of impressive plays, even if he did make some negative comments about quarterback Brock Purdy prior to his signing. If Jones has a solid year, though, then chances are fans will forget all about those ill-advised remarks.
Hobbs would be a viable option if he were healthy, but he’s been out with a groin injury, which has robbed him of a chance to truly compete for the starting gig.
If one had to guess at who would win the job, Jones seems like the safer bet. We know Shanahan usually likes to go with experienced veterans, but if Jones gets burned or doesn’t play well, don’t be surprised if Prysock gets his shot.
One hopes Green’s injury isn’t too severe. The more options at cornerback, the better. But they have to be prepared to go on without him. In a battle between the rookie and the vet, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
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