Report: 49ers to work out safety Jairus Byrd

The 49ers are taking a look at former Bills and Saints free safety Jairus Byrd and long-time Bengals cornerback Leon Hall among other defensive backs today, according to national reports.

Byrd, 30, was a second-round pick by Buffalo in 2009 who has 97 starts over that span. He also plays a position critical to the 49ers' defense but one in which they made no additions in free agency or the draft.

Hall, meanwhile, was a first-round pick by the Bengals in 2007 and played nine seasons there. Hall, 32, spent last year with the New York Giants where he was used as a slot cornerback and a safety. By the end of the season, injuries in the Giants secondary meant that Hall exclusively played safety.

“I move around a little bit. I like the jack of all trades deal,” he told NJ.com. “I've always liked to do other things, different positions. I remember being in Cincinnati telling them to do that. That didn't work out. But I enjoy it. I would say my position now if I had to pick one would definitely be safety. But it sounds nice. It's got a nice ring to it.”

The NFL Network reported San Francisco’s interest in Hall.

Jimmie Ward is the would-be starter at free safety for the 49ers this season. Vinnie Sunseri has been lining up with the second-team defense while undrafted Lorenzo Jerome has been the third-team safety.

Byrd must convince the 49ers he can hold up through a season. He missed six games in 2013 with plantar faciitis and also has dealt with back and knee issues since. With Byrd set to earn just under $8 million this season, the Saints cut him in March.

The 49ers worked out another well-known veteran, defensive lineman Kedrick Golston, last week but have not signed him to this point.

This story was originally published May 30, 2017 at 7:27 AM.