In his first meeting with the media since the bye week, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordintor Vic Fangio shed some light on how the team will sort out playing time at a position of depth.
Cornerback Carousel
For the first time since Week 1, the 49ers could have all four of their top cornerbacks healthy and active on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
Tramaine Brock (toe) is listed as questionable, while Jimmie Ward (quadricep) and Chris Culliver (hamstring) are probable. Perrish Cox, who leads the team with three interceptions and 15 pass breakups, is ready to go.
Such depth at an important position is a good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless. So how does Fangio plan on solving this riddle? Simple.
"We'll mix up the corner position and try to get them all action in there at the same time and in and out," Fangio said. "I think it would be different combinations at different times."
Fangio added that Ward will continue to be the nickel cornerback.
The team's fifth cornerback, Dontae Johnson, who clinched the 49ers win over the Rams on Oct. 17 with a pick-six, would likely play special teams when his four position 'mates are active.
Gold Nuggets
1.The 49ers opened NT Glenn Dorsey's 21-day window on Monday, but Fangio wants to wait until he is closer to being activated before discussing how playing time will be divvied up with Ian Williams.
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- **Regarding how Dorsey, who suffered a torn biceps injury in training camp, has looked in practice, Fangio said, "He looks fine... We're taking it slowly with that, so I don't know that we've stressed him totally there yet."
3.Looking back at his unit's performance against the Denver Broncos in Week 7, Fangio said he didn't do a good enough job of coaching. "Just a call here and there that didn't work out," he said. The Broncos 42 points were the most allowed by the 49ers since Dec. 23, 2012 against the Seattle Seahawks.
4.Filling in for the injured Joe Staley, LB Chris Borland recorded a team-high eight tackles versus Denver. What can the rookie work on to improve? "It's a little bit of everything, both in the run and pass, and in particular coverages," Fangio said.
5.Despite playing the Rams for the second time in the last three games, Fangio said he wouldn't significantly alter his defense's scheme. "They're not going to change their offense wholesale for us and likewise we wouldn't change our defense wholesale for them," he said.
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