49ers designate rookie cornerback Darrell Luter Jr as PUP
The 49ers don't have much in the way of depth at outside cornerback, and it appears they will be without one of their backups at the position, Darrell Luter Jr, for at least some of training camp. Luter, per the NFL's transaction wire (h/t David Lombardi of The Athletic), has been designated as Physically Unable […]
The 49ers don't have much in the way of depth at outside cornerback, and it appears they will be without one of their backups at the position, Darrell Luter Jr, for at least some of training camp.
Luter, per the NFL's transaction wire (h/t David Lombardi of The Athletic), has been designated as Physically Unable to Perform (PUP). He can be placed on the PUP list when training camp begins next week.
San Francisco selected Luter in the fifth round of this year's draft.
The PUP list can be used for players who sustained football-related injuries in the offseason.
The nature of Luter's injury has not been revealed. However, it would be a blow to the 49ers' reserves at a premium position if it is one that keeps him on the sideline long term.
Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are established as San Francisco's starters at outside corner after they each enjoyed strong 2022 campaigns.
Behind them, options are thin on the ground. Ambry Thomas, the 2021 third-round pick, is the only purely outside corner on the depth chart with anything resembling significant experience.
However, Thomas failed to build on a promising end to his rookie year and played only 41 defensive snaps last year after featuring on 333 in 2021.
Last year's fifth-round pick Samuel Womack III unsurprisingly did not impress when briefly pressed into service on the outside last year. Womack began 2022 as the starting nickel but quickly lost that role early in the year.
In other words, one injury to Ward or Lenoir would put the 49ers in trouble at outside corner. Having Luter available would not necessarily change that but, for the Niners to feel comfortable depending on a rookie as a primary backup act a critical position, they obviously need him on the field in camp.
It remains to be seen whether Luter will face an extended absence, but this early injury setback is a reminder of just how shaky the 49ers' cornerback depth is.
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