“I feel like the way that Mooney (Ward) and D-Mo are playing there on the outside, it speaks volumes to the group that they have, and I am just happy I can be here to help mentor them, help elevate their game even more. But those two guys are playing tremendous,” Verrett said.
How Verrett can help the 49ers at this point, though, could be a work in progress. He will help a secondary that is hurting because of a spate of injuries that has already cost the team safeties Talanoa Hufanga and George Odum and left them without Charvarius Ward, who is out with a groin injury.
The 49ers could be looking at a very young group in Week 15 against the Cardinals that includes third-year man Ambry Thomas starting with another third-year player, Deommodore Lenoir. Verrett might not make an appearance on the active roster but he still feels he can help his young new teammates.
One reason 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan wanted Jason Verrett back on the team is his institutional knowledge of the franchise, and the NFL in general. He played for the 49ers from 2019-21, but was limited to just 15 games in three years because of a wave of misfortune with injuries. But his attitude, work ethic and outlook impressed teammates and coaches.
Before his time with the 49ers, Verrett was a Pro Bowl corner for the Chargers in his second season, 2015. Then the injuries started. First it was his ACL, in 2016. Then it was another knee surgery in 2017. In 2018, it was a torn Achilles tendon suffered on the first day of training camp.
