When you’re banged up as a team, you rely on your veterans to fill in the gap. 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward returned to the lineup in Week 5, only to miss Week 6 after breaking his hand on the opening kickoff against the Carolina Panthers.
San Francisco has had to shuffle the deck in the secondary. Second-year cornerback Deommodore Lenoir has played in the slot and on the outside. The same is true for rookie corner Samuel Womack.
The goal is to get your best 11 players on the field. Based on how this season has gone, you’re not taking Tashaun Gipson off the field.