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The 49ers have done extremely well this offseason in developing depth at key positions. Entering the last week of the preseason, there were only two (maybe three) real positions with depth concerns for San Francisco. There’s the offensive line, where almost every team has depth concerns, possibly tight end — though the team’s three rostered tight ends are viable — and cornerback.
According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, one of those depth concerns has been amended, with the 49ers reportedly signing free agent corner and former All-Pro, Josh Norman.
49ers have agreed to terms with veteran free agent corner Josh Norman to bolster their secondary. @NFLonFOX
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 5, 2021
The move is significant given that Norman, 33, has been a high-caliber starting NFL corner for nearly a decade. He signed a five-year, $75 million deal with Washington back in 2016 coming off his lone Pro Bowl and All-Pro season with the Carolina Panthers in 2015, and signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Buffalo Bills in 2020 after being cut by Washington.
Now, Norman will provide depth to a position where Jason Verrett has had injury issues throughout his career and dealt with plantar fasciitis in this training camp, Emmanuel Moseley had a hamstring injury, and with two rookie corners as the immediate outside depth. The only other rostered corner is Dontae Johnson, who may well be cut to provide a spot for Norman.