Could the "Jackrabbit" get more playing time with the San Francisco 49ers down the stretch or even in the playoffs? Janoris Jenkins, the veteran Pro Bowl cornerback, saw some limited action against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, filling in for a sidelined Charvarius Ward. Those 14 defensive snaps were his first since signing with the 49ers on November 28.
San Francisco appears to be set with their cornerback situation, though. Ward has proven himself to be a fantastic offseason acquisition, and the coaching staff has a lot of confidence in Deommodore Lenoir.
Is there an opportunity for Jenkins to contribute down the stretch?
"There's an opportunity for him," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after Friday's practice. "I think we're set with our starters out there and stuff, but there's an opportunity for him to get into that rotation, and get in the group, and be the next man up.
"We've been impressed with how he's been here since he's gotten in, and we're very glad to have him. We have no idea how it's going to play out, but he definitely is an option here over the next few weeks."
Jenkins is in his 11th NFL season. The then-St. Louis Rams made him a second-round pick out of North Alabama in the 2012 NFL Draft. Jenkins earned his best Pro Football Focus grade (82.5) in 2016, the same season he was selected to his only Pro Bowl.
Jenkins was targeted twice in this season's appearance against Seattle. He surrendered two catches for 22 yards while being credited for a missed tackle.