NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cornerback Ambry Thomas might have been in an uphill climb to hold onto a 49ers roster spot this summer.
Now, he faces another obstacle in order to log a fourth season with San Francisco.
Thomas sustained a fractured right forearm Saturday night in the 49ers’ 17-13 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans, which places his tenure with the 49ers in serious doubt.
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said the injury is expected to keep Thomas out of action for “some time.” Thomas was injured while attempting to make a tackle in the second quarter.
The 49ers must make a decision in the coming days whether to place Thomas on injured reserve or whether to waive him with an injury settlement. They likely will add another cornerback to fill a spot on the team’s 90-man roster.
Thomas was in the starting lineup for the 49ers' preseason opener against the Titans. He was credited with one tackle in the game.
Cornerbacks Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Isaac Yiadom and Darrell Luter did not suit up for the game, as the 49ers kept many of their top players on the sideline.
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In addition to those four players in front of him on the depth chart, Thomas also was in competition against second-round draft pick Renardo Green and veteran cornerbacks Sam Womack and Rock Ya-Sin.
The 49ers had high hopes for Thomas when they selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
He finished his rookie season strong with a game-clinching interception of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the final regular-season game to send the 49ers into the playoffs.
But Thomas’ play declined in his second year in the NFL, and Lenoir moved ahead of him on the depth chart.
Thomas started six games during the 2023 NFL season as the 49ers could not find the right combination of players when they went with five defensive backs. He was benched in the postseason.
Thomas is in the final year of his original four-year contract and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024 season.
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