There are relatively few spots on the San Francisco 49ers roster where they can afford a serious injury to a starter.
But one could argue they're better suited to handle an injury to a cornerback, which is what head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad might have to face after a one-sided exhibition over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.
Cornerback Renardo Green exited the game, and Shanahan subsequently told reporters the third-year defensive back suffered a hamstring injury.
"We'll have to get more imaging on that [Monday] to see if he pulled it," Shanahan said postgame.
Clearly, the Niners prefer to have Green fully healthy and ready to go for the regular season.
If he misses time, though, it might open the door for one of San Francisco's offseason pickups to make his presence known, cornerback Jack Jones.
INT-happy Jack Jones stands to benefit if Renardo Green misses time
Jones, who has bounced around the league over the last several years, was picked up by the 49ers as a free agent this offseason. And it didn't take him too long to start making an impression during training camp, seemingly notching an interception during every practice.
For a 49ers defense that recorded a mere six interceptions a year ago, Jones' presence (if his camp trend continues) might actually be a boost, provided Green misses time into the regular season.
In fact, Jones was the go-to option when Green exited the contest, and there's an argument to be made the latter is on a bit of a short leash after effectively being put in Shanahan's doghouse last January during the playoffs.
Jones didn't manage to pick off any of L.A.'s quarterbacks on Thursday night, but he did notch a pair of pass breakups, suggesting he'll be in position to potentially force some turnovers, should the Niners have to rely upon him by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Of course, that's yet to be determined. Green's status remains up in the air, at least for now.
But San Francisco can at least take some solace with the knowledge it has a turnover-generating corner who can fill a would-be void because of injury.
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