The San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman will not fully participate in practices with his new teammates during the team's mandatory minicamp this week but he has been cleared to take part in individual drills, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Also taking part in individual drills are cornerback Jimmie Ward, who missed last week's practices with an ankle injury, wide receiver Max McCaffrey (hamstring), and linebacker Malcolm Smith (groin).

Other than the re-signing of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the acquisition of Sherman from the division rival Seattle Seahawks was arguably the 49ers' most significant offseason move. The only thing that tempered expectations surrounding the signing is the fact that the veteran cornerback is coming off of a ruptured Achilles that was suffered in November.

While the 49ers wanted to be cautious with his recovery and were aiming for a return to the practice field during training camp, Sherman's timeline was more aggressive. He eyed a mid-June return but won't be a full participant in practices until training camp at the earliest. Shanahan believes Sherman is still on track to be ready by late July.


"There's been no setbacks," Shanahan said. "I know [Day 1 of training camp is] the goal. That's our target date. That's what we're expecting. We're going to be very cautious too. I'm not promising you it will be that day but that's what we're looking to and there's been no reason to think differently."

While Sherman was unable to practice, he has been taking on the role of an unofficial assistant coach. During practices, he was often seen offering advice to, and working with, the younger defensive backs group.

"To have him here is a gift to everybody, coaches and players alike," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said in May.

Defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley recently told reporters that while Sherman's coaching assistance is appreciated, expectations for the veteran cornerback will change once he is cleared to practice.

"I'm going to tell you, though, when he gets back to playing, it's going to be, 'You're not here for that reason anymore. You're here to go out and dominate and play at a really high level because that's why you're here,'" Hafley said. "That's why I'm excited. I can't wait for him to get out and practice. I think he's going to bring up the competitiveness of the group."


As for Sherman himself, he was so confident in his ability to return to an All-Pro level that he was willing to negotiate an incentive-heavy contract with the 49ers himself.

"Basically, if I never get back to the Richard Sherman everybody has become accustomed to seeing on the field, the 49ers are protected," Sherman said via The Players Tribune. "They won't overpay for somebody who's not on the field and who's not playing at a high level.

"And if I do get back to that level — which I fully intend to do — then I'll be compensated accordingly."

Sherman's illustrious career includes four Pro Bowl selections and being named a first-team All-Pro three times. In seven NFL seasons, he has registered 367 combined tackles, 32 interceptions, 99 passes defensed, a sack, and five forced fumbles.
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