The San Francisco 49ers are planning to start Josh Norman against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Norman, who signed with the 49ers just before the regular season started, was listed as the third-team cornerback on the team's depth chart this week despite all the injuries at the position -- so his start is a bit of a surprise.
Jason Verrett is out for the season with a torn ACL and Emmanuel Moseley is out with a knee injury. With both of San Francisco's starting cornerbacks injured, Norman and Deommodore Lenoir are the projected starters for San Francisco. The 49ers also signed Dre Kirkpatrick this week.
"Both guys have come in and they've picked up on the defense," 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans said last week. "Really sharp guys. Great, great football instincts. Guys have stepped in and done really well. They've played a lot of ball, so it's not much that they haven't done, that they can't grasp. So those guys have done a really great job of getting up to speed very quick."
Leonir, a 2021 fifth-round pick, is in line to get an extended look against the Eagles after playing 90 snaps last week. He was targeted three times, allowing just one catch for three yards.
"D-Mo was fine. He didn't blink," Ryans said. "To be a rookie for his first game and to be tasked with that many reps. Of course, we didn't want that many reps, but one thing I liked about D-Mo, he didn't blink. He competed every snap and he was good.
"He continues to work and get better. So, I'm proud of the way he fought through the game, a lot of reps, but he fought through and it's encouraging to see where he can keep going."
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