49ers work out former first-round pick in search for safety depth
The San Francisco 49ers will likely need to make at least one addition at safety after suffering two season-ending injuries at the position in as many games. After losing All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga to a torn ACL, the 49ers then saw backup safety and key special teamer George Odum sustain a torn biceps muscle in last […]
The San Francisco 49ers will likely need to make at least one addition at safety after suffering two season-ending injuries at the position in as many games.
After losing All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga to a torn ACL, the 49ers then saw backup safety and key special teamer George Odum sustain a torn biceps muscle in last week's win over the Seattle Seahawks, ruling him out for the remainder of the year.
It leaves veteran Tashaun Gipson and rookie Ji'Ayir Brown as the only safeties on the active roster. Odum joined Hufanga on injured reserve on Monday.
The 49ers worked out a host of defensive backs in search of some depth at the position, among them a former first-round pick.
Karl Joseph, the 14th overall pick of the Raiders in 2016, was on the lengthy list of Monday tryouts for the 49ers.
Joseph would offer 65 games and 49 starts of experience to the 49ers' defensive backfield.
He last played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. Joseph was re-signed for the 2022 season but missed the entire campaign due to an ankle injury.
Joseph has 20 pass breakups and five interceptions in his NFL career, which has also included a season with the Cleveland Browns in 2020.
Among the other safeties to work out for the 49ers was Will Parks, who spent time on their practice squad in 2021 and has played for the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. The Niners also worked out Erik Harris, another former Raider who spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons.
