It took a while for Jason Verrett to make his way back onto an NFL field on Christmas.
After first rupturing his ACL in San Francisco’s 2021 season opener and then sustaining a torn Achilles during a November 2022 practice while attempting a return, the 49ers cornerback has not appeared on the field for 834 days.
Nevertheless, Verrett was elevated for the team’s Monday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens and was recently placed back with San Francisco on the practice squad. This was a pleasant surprise for the 32-year-old, who was thought to be the 49ers’ best cornerback prior to his injuries.
This season, Verrett made another try at a comeback and contacted 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
“During the summer, he had discussed with me that he was attempting to return,” Shanahan said to Greg Papa during the most recent episode of “49ers Game Plan.” “Several athletes would approach me and say, ‘Hey, this JV’s working. Will you guys investigate him at all?
Given the injuries he has sustained and other factors, you never want to assume the worst. However, you’ll never hold anyone back, so I said, “Yeah, JV.” He has put in a ton of work, and if you can make it back, we’ll give you a tryout.”
Verrett “looked like the old JV” during his 49ers workouts, according to Shanahan, and then spent a few weeks on the Houston Texans practice squad. Shanahan stated that the 49ers were unable to sign Verrett because they had the maximum number of veterans on the practice squad at the time of the workout.
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After first rupturing his ACL in San Francisco’s 2021 season opener and then sustaining a torn Achilles during a November 2022 practice while attempting a return, the 49ers cornerback has not appeared on the field for 834 days.
Nevertheless, Verrett was elevated for the team’s Monday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens and was recently placed back with San Francisco on the practice squad. This was a pleasant surprise for the 32-year-old, who was thought to be the 49ers’ best cornerback prior to his injuries.
This season, Verrett made another try at a comeback and contacted 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
“During the summer, he had discussed with me that he was attempting to return,” Shanahan said to Greg Papa during the most recent episode of “49ers Game Plan.” “Several athletes would approach me and say, ‘Hey, this JV’s working. Will you guys investigate him at all?
Given the injuries he has sustained and other factors, you never want to assume the worst. However, you’ll never hold anyone back, so I said, “Yeah, JV.” He has put in a ton of work, and if you can make it back, we’ll give you a tryout.”
Verrett “looked like the old JV” during his 49ers workouts, according to Shanahan, and then spent a few weeks on the Houston Texans practice squad. Shanahan stated that the 49ers were unable to sign Verrett because they had the maximum number of veterans on the practice squad at the time of the workout.
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However, San Francisco had room for Verrett and he chose to return after wide receiver Chris Conley was promoted from the practice squad before of the 49ers’ Week 14 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Shanahan stated that he spoke with current Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, the former defensive coordinator of the 49ers, about how impressive Verrett appeared at practice. “He was so tight with a bunch of guys on the team, he kind of wanted to finish here where it ended [for] him with the injuries,” Shanahan revealed.
Shanahan said, “Got down here, [and] he’s had two great weeks with us.” “It was quite astounding that he could look the way he did considering everything he had to go through. After a long absence from the field, it can be difficult.”
In the 49ers’ defeat to the Ravens, Verrett played five snaps and gave up a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor from Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson in the third quarter. Shanahan, meanwhile, was impressed that Verrett could play at all given everything that had happened to him.
Shanahan remarked to Papa, “I think that’s an accomplishment in itself,” regarding Verrett’s little playing time. “This week’s practice went well for him. He’s a man who can help us, and you need it this time of year. We’ll see how the roster is assembled for Sunday.”
As the 49ers get ready for their third straight NFL postseason run and the regular season comes to an end, it’s unclear exactly how big of an influence Verrett will have. But one thing is for sure—any player battling with an injury might find inspiration in the seasoned corner’s narrative.
