49ers Place DB Jimmie Ward on IR, Promote CB Prince Charles Iworah
The San Francisco 49ers have placed defensive back Jimmie Ward on injured reserve and promoted cornerback Prince Charles Iworah from the practice squad, per multiple reports.
According to numerous reports, including one from Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, the San Francisco 49ers are placing defensive back Jimmie Ward on season-ending injured reserve and promoting rookie cornerback Prince Charles Iworah to the 53-man roster.
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Ward suffered a shoulder injury during the Niners’ 41-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15.
The 25-year-old first-round pick of the 49ers in 2014 was one of the team’s better defenders this season.
Working both on the outside and at nickel, Ward managed 42 tackles, 12 passes defended and one interception before the injury.
Pro Football Focus gave him a 75.8 overall grade for the year, second only to fellow corner Tramaine Brock.
Ward is part of an ever-growing list of injured players the team is dealing with right now. Earlier this week, the Niners lost wide receiver Quinton Patton, linebacker Nick Bellore and tight end Blake Bell to season-ending injuries stemming from the same game.
Iworah, a seventh-round pick from last year’s draft, has spent the entirety of his rookie season on the practice squad.
He’s raw, as his NFL.com draft profile states, but might be the fastest player on the team.
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It’s not clear how high on San Francisco’s depth chart Iworah will be. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a few snaps.
With the season all but in the tank, it’s not surprising to see the Niners give some of their depth players a shot, shutting down established veterans to let them heal more this offseason.
It might also be a crucial step in determining which of those depth players are worth keeping around next season.
