49ers notebook: D.J. Reed out for season, others activated off injured lists
The 49ers were dealt a blow to their secondary Monday when general manager John Lynch announced third-year pro D.J. Reed would miss the 2020 season after tearing a pectoral muscle while working out this offseason.
Reed, 23, was expected to be a prominent backup at outside cornerback, free safety and in the slot at nickel. Reed started two games as a rookie in 2018 and played well in the slot in place of K’Waun Williams. Last year he worked primarily as a core special teams player.
“That’s a tough one for us. The earliest we might’ve had D.J. back, was early November, but it’s a four-to-six month injury,” Lynch said Monday. “It’s been an active conversation, Kyle (Shanahan) and myself and the medical folks have been having. Ultimately, too difficult to keep a roster spot for something that may go into December.”
Aside from Williams, the starter, San Francisco’s other options at nickel include Emmanuel Moseley and journeyman Jamar Taylor, who signed last month. Taylor was initially a second-round draft pick of the Dolphins in 2013 before playing for the Browns, Cardinals, Broncos, Falcons and Seahawks over the past four seasons.
Reed, since getting drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft, has 54 combined tackles, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and a sack in 31 regular season games.
Lynch says no 49ers are expected to opt out
The NFL on Monday finalized the opt-out date with the NFL Players Association for 1 p.m. Pacific time on Thursday, according to an ESPN report. Fifty players across 25 teams have opted out, but no 49ers players have, yet.
“We always feel like communication with our players is the best opportunity for success in every situation,” Lynch said. “But none of our players have intimated that that is an option that they’re going to be exercising.”
Richie James Jr. taken off COVID list
Lynch said the 49ers planned to remove receiver Richie James Jr. off the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday. He will be placed on the non-football injury list after breaking a bone in his wrist/hand in June.
NFL rules say players can be placed on the list if they test positive for coronavirus or get exposed to someone else who has the virus. Teams are not allowed to reveal results from players’ daily testing.
Players can be removed from the list if they go 10 days without testing positive or have two straight negative tests over a 24-hour span.
Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. was added to the list week.
▪ Lynch said reserve receiver Shawn Poindexter and defensive lineman Kentavius Street would be added to the active roster from the active/physically unable to perform list. Both dealt with knee injuries last season.
