The 49ers on Monday hosted free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. on a tryout at the team’s practice facility in Santa Clara.
Samuel, 26, played four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers after being a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was limited to just four games last season with injuries that were described as stingers in both shoulders. Samuel underwent spinal fusion surgery in April.
He recently received medical clearance to resume his football career. Samuel previously visited the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. He reportedly has visits scheduled with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers this week.
Coach Kyle Shanahan described the workout on Monday as a fact-finding mission for the 49ers’ personnel department. He said he did not meet Samuel nor did he watch the workout.
“I’m sure [it was] just to check him out and see where he is at,” Shanahan said on a conference call with reporters.
“We know he has been a hell of a player, so it’s probably just to see where he is at right now.”
Samuel started 47 of the 50 games in which he appeared over his four seasons with the Chargers. He registered six interceptions and 37 passes defensed.
His original contract with the Chargers expired after last season. He was considered one of the top players on the NFL free-agency market before it was known he required surgery. He remains available as an unrestricted free agent.
Samuel is the son of four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, who played 11 NFL seasons with New England, Philadelphia and Atlanta.
Samuel Jr. played three seasons at Florida State and was the No. 47 overall pick of the Chargers in 2021.
Deommodore Lenoir has started all 10 games for the 49ers at cornerback and has played at a high level. Renardo Green is the starter on the other side. Darrell Luter Jr. is the team’s No. 3 outside cornerback.
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