San Francisco 49ers defensive backs Jimmie Ward and Jason Verrett are closer to returning to the football field. On August 31, the 49ers placed Ward, a safety, on the injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury. Verrett, a cornerback, started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He suffered a torn ACL in last season's regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions.

As expected, the 49ers opned the practice windows for both defensive backs. Ward and Verrett will get some work during Wednesday's session as the team prepares for its Week 5 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

Before practice, head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers plan to ease the players back into the mix, and there is a chance both could be available for Sunday's game.

"We're going to put him in practice today," Shanahan said of Ward. "We're not going to do much full speed, only two days removed [from Monday night's game], but he'll be out there all week, and we'll see if he's ready to go for Sunday."

Shanahan added, "Him and Jason are the same deal."

San Francisco drafted Ward (5-11, 195) out of Northern Illinois with the No. 30 overall pick in 2014. Per Pro Football Reference, he registered 77 tackles, six passes defensed, two interceptions, and a touchdown through 16 starts with the 49ers last season.


The 49ers initially signed Verrett in 2019. His best and healthiest season with the team came in 2020 when he was arguably San Francisco's best cornerback, recording 60 tackles, seven passes defensed, and two interceptions through 13 games.


San Francisco also announced that wide receiver Willie Snead has been re-signed to the practice squad. The 49ers signed Snead from the practice squad to the active roster on Monday and then released him on Tuesday.

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