It sounds like the San Francisco 49ers, at one point this week, looked into trading cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. That's what Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported in a mailbag article when a fan asked if former 49ers defensive backs coach, Joe Woods, now the defensive coordinator in Cleveland, might be interested in the fourth-year player.

"At one point during the week, the 49ers were looking into trading Witherspoon, and Witherspoon was aware of this," responded Barrows. "For one reason or another, that plan was scrapped."

The 49ers' reluctance to go through with a trade may have had something to do with veteran cornerback Jason Verrett's hamstring injury, which he suffered during Wednesday's practice.

Added Barrows: "Maybe it was because the 49ers didn't get the right kind of nibbles. I don't know."


The news does suggest that perhaps San Francisco's coaches were pleased enough with Verrett's training camp performance that they found Witherspoon expendable. Of course, an injury changes that.

Witherspoon is also scheduled to become a free agent next year, and it is unknown if the 49ers will look to retain his services. Barrows isn't so sure they will. That could have also played into the decision to look into trade options.

"As a group, I thought the 49ers cornerbacks played well in training camp," wrote Barrows. "Emmanuel Moseley probably was the top guy, but Witherspoon wasn't far behind."

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