Due to the 49ers’ secondary injury issues, a veteran addition may be on the horizon shortly. Anthony Averett is scheduled to visit San Francisco, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
After agreeing to a contract in August that sent him to the Bay Area, Averett was expected to play for the 49ers this season. However, injuries became a problem during training camp, and later that month, he was let go, free to sign with another team.
The 28-year-old joined the Lions’ practice squad in October after Detroit’s offensive line problems. Because of that arrangement, Averett was able to stay with the team until the middle of November, but he didn’t play. He played in just one game for the Raiders in 2022 during his one-year contract. The former fourth-round pick’s market value suffered in the offseason as a result of his numerous injuries in Vegas, which limited him to just seven games.
Averett had played his first four seasons with the Ravens before that. During his tenure in Baltimore, he saw a gradual increase in playing time with each passing year before taking on full-time starting responsibilities in 2021. At that point, the Alabama product recorded his best-ever season with 54 tackles, three interceptions, and eleven pass deflections. He will now be on his second team in 2023 and look to give the NFC West leaders depth at CB.
As anticipated, San Francisco’s defense has led to elite rankings this season in several categories. However, their pass defense (213 yards allowed per game) is middling, and the team’s safety position has been beset by injuries, as starter Talanoa Hufanga and special teamer George Odum are expected to miss the remainder of the campaign. When the 49ers try to put together a portion of their secondary, Averett might offer a seasoned perimeter option in the closing minutes.