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49ers Cool to Lenoir’s Request to Shadow Smith-Njigba Ahead of Week 18

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh cites the demands a full-time travel assignment would place on a zone-heavy unit.

Overview

  • Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir publicly asked to follow Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba throughout Saturday’s game.
  • Saleh detailed how a shadow plan would disrupt alignments in their scheme and could force rookie Upton Stout into unfamiliar outside-corner duties.
  • San Francisco plays zone on roughly 76.8% of snaps and uses man coverage sparingly, making an every-snap matchup outside their norm.
  • Saleh acknowledged the tactic exists in their inventory and could appear in specific situations, but reporting signals the team will likely pass on a full-time shadow.
  • Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 1,709 receiving yards and ranks first in yards per route run versus man coverage, as the matchup carries division title and No. 1 seed stakes.