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.
In 2019, he suffered a severe ankle injury in the season opener with the 49ers. He played 13 games in 2020, but tore his ACL in the 2021 opener, and has not played since. He was set to make his debut in November of 2022, but again tore his Achilles tendon.
“Just been my journey,” he said. “It has been a battle, man. One thing about me, I am always going to battle through. Not too worried about too many of the obstacles that I have faced, I take them head on. I am just happy that I have got an organization right here that still believes in me despite everything I have been through.”
