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The San Francisco 49ers have made a roster error in releasing veteran defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha. This was done to make room for recently activated cornerback Eric Wright and the return of veteran wide receiver Mario Manningham, both coming back from injury. Asomugha did get injured this season in the team’s second loss against the Indianapolis Colts and has not seen the field since then. Nickel back Tramaine Brock has been playing exceptionally well in Asomugha’s absence.
As for his future, he will have to wait and see if anyone will claim him off the waiver wire or wait until he becomes a full free agent. Asomugha should not be out of a job long when there are plenty of teams who need big, physical and long defensive backs, whether they be cornerbacks, nickel backs or safeties.
The 49ers may want to be concerned if a playoff contending team in the NFC picks him up. He is an intelligent player who could easily divulge weaknesses to a team in case that team faces the 49ers. Asomugha’s weakness is known around the NFL, but his weakness is more schematic than anything else. He does not play as well in zone coverage as he does in press man coverage.
Asomugha was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft by the Oakland Raiders. Once he became a free agent, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 and was released by the team after the 2012 season. He signed a one-year deal with the 49ers and is still receiving a payout from his release with the Eagles.