Tarvarius

Moore

Four members of the Bears’ secondary are currently dealing with injuries and Jones’ shoulder issue was bad enough to land him on injured reserve. These secondary injuries, coupled with the loss of difference-making DT Andrew Billings, make the Bears’ defense a far more fantasy-friendly unit. The team “signed S Tarvarius Moore to the active roster and added DB JT Woods to the practice squad,” per The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, in corresponding moves.

The team also announced the signing of long snapper Matt Orzech. Moore was drafted in the third round in 2018. The 49ers repeatedly moved him between safety and corner but never found a consistent role for him on defense. He missed all of the 2021 season with a torn Achilles tendon. When Moore returned in 2022, he was relegated to special teams duties. He will serve as a reserve defensive back and a special teamer for the Packers.

The move is simply a formality as Wilson is already known to be headed for the reserve/PUP list once the season begins. The earliest he can return will be Week 8 but that could still be an optimistic date. He suffered a torn meniscus toward the end of May and was pegged for a 4-6 month recovery. The 26-year-old back will likely return to a backup role behind Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon whenever he is healthy. Tarvarius Moore joins him on the PUP list but a torn Achilles’ will ultimately him from playing in 2021.

Moore had been playing strong safety before the injury, which will likely end his 2021 season. The Niners’ No. 95 pick in the 2018 draft, Moore shifted to safety after playing cornerback in college. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

Ward finally sees a light at the end of the tunnel after missing most of the offseason with a broken collarbone, though he won’t be assured of a starting gig at free safety, where Tarvarius Moore has been a standout this offseason. “He’s going to make it very difficult,” said Saleh in praise of Moore, who contributed 23 tackles and a forced fumble over 232 snaps as a rookie in 2018. Ward has typically been productive when healthy, though injuries have cost him a combined 21 games over the past three seasons.

The third-round sophomore spent all of last season at cornerback after showing plus athleticism at the Combine, but he was a safety by trade in college. It is possible this move is temporary as the 49ers deal with injuries to Jimmie Ward and D.J. Reed. Jaquiski Tartt and Adrian Colbert are currently penciled in as the 49ers’ starters.

Moore (6’1/195) spent two years at Southern Miss after transferring from JUCO, logging five interceptions but never earning all-conference recognition and getting no all-star-game or Combine invites. Moore sprung himself onto the NFL scouting map with a 4.32 forty, 38 ½-inch vertical, and 11-foot-1 broad jump at the Golden Eagles’ Pro Day. A big-time athlete with ball skills but not a tone-setting imposer, Moore is a late-rising, late-blooming prospect with starting potential at free safety.

Niners will also move Jimmie Ward and fifth-round pick CB D.J. Reed to safety. Coaches figured Moore (6'2", 38 ½-inch vertical, 4.32 forty) profiled better at outside corner since Southern Mississippi’s defense emphasized man-to-man coverage. Reed will compete with K’Waun Williams at nickel cornerback while also practicing at free safety. With Ward also practicing at corner, the 49ers’ top free safety is currently projected as Adrian Colbert.