Jalen Hurd and Verrett are headed to the IR; 49ers plan to re-sign WR Jordan Matthews and DB Dontae Johnson
https://www.ninersnation.com/2019/10/3/20897381/49ers-free-agency-jalen-hurd-injured-reserve-dontae-johnson-jordan-matthews
The wait will have to continue for fans to see San Francisco 49ers third-round pick Jalen Hurd, who has been out since August with a back injury. The team announced that they are placing Hurd on the injured reserve Thursday morning. That’s a bummer, as Hurd showed flashes in the preseason. That’s not the only player headed to the injured reserve. The 49ers are also placing CB Jason Verrett on IR as well.
The team officially announced that they signed CB Dontae Johnson to a one-year deal. According to Mike Garafolo, the plan is to re-sign WR Jordan Matthews. Garafolo said the Niners want to give Hurd’s back fracture time to heal. Playing it safe is the best route to go.
Johnson (6-2, 200), originally entered the NFL as the second of two fourth-round draft picks (129th overall) by the 49ers in the 2014 NFL Draft. In four years with San Francisco (2014-17), he appeared in 63 games (22 starts) and registered 149 tackles, 21 passes defended, and two interceptions returned for touchdowns. In 2018, he spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals, but did not see game action. He later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on February 26, 2019, and was released by the team on May 20. He re-signed with the 49ers on May 28 and was released on August 30. Following his time with the 49ers, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on September 11 and was released on September 28.
Matthews will rejoin the roster, but his involvement remains to be seen. There was a place to put Hurd. Red-zone matchups, against smaller nickel defenders, etc. I don’t see the same for Matthews, but this could also be a move to bolster Special Teams as well. We’ll see.
Injuries continue to mount for the 49ers. The 49ers now have four candidates to bring back from IR: defensive lineman Kentavius Street (knee), receiver Trent Taylor (foot), Jason Verrett (knee) and Jalen Hurd (back). Teams only can give that designation to two players. Taylor is a lock. I’d guess Hurd, if he fully recovers, will return as well.
The good news is weve been winning without Hurd and Verrett. Taylor and Hurd can come back week 11 and 12 respectively, and we will need them down the stretch if we are in the playoff hunt. Still, it sucks because I was really looking forward to seeing Hurd play with his physical style and attitude.
Johnson isnt a terrible signing to take Verretts place in the packing order, but he could wind up contributing as early as Monday night since he is familiar with the defense and can step in right away if needed. IIRC, he played pretty well in preseason.