49ers rookie Upton Stout takes advantage of reps during Day 5 of training camp

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers have known all along just how valuable veteran safety Jason Pinnock could be&period; San Francisco came to an agreement with the 26-year-old in NFL free agency immediately after longtime safety Talanoa Hufanga agreed to a contract with the Denver Broncos&period; Then, about five weeks later, it was announced that rookie starting safety Malik Mustapha underwent ACL surgery after sustaining a knee injury in the team’s Week 18 game&period; In the months since joining the organization, and especially early on in training camp, it’s become clear that Pinnock has a chance to earn and play an important role in the 49ers’ defensive backfield this season, a role that he is familiar with from his time as a rookie in 2021 with then-New York Jets head coach and current defensive coordinator Robert Saleh&period; “JP’s familiar with the system,” Saleh said Monday after 49ers training camp practice&period; “He’s got such great athleticism, length and he’s very smart&period; So he’s been doing a nice job in there&period;”“Back in the system that I’m used to,” Pinnock said&period; “Not too much adjustment, honestly&period; From special teams to defense, that was a big decision-maker for me in free agency&period; Somewhere where I don’t have to learn another system&period; I went through two coordinators after Saleh, three total, so glad to get back to where I’m familiar&period;”Pinnock was selected by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and originally was a cornerback before switching to safety mid-season&period; He then was waived by the Jets before his second season and was claimed by the New York Giants, who utilized him primarily as a Swiss Army Knife-type of safety&period;While switching positions and then being cut might have been a difficult one-two punch for the young defensive back, it appears to have been a blessing in disguise, as Pinnock then went on to establish himself as a solid blitzing safety under Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale&period; “At those points in these players’ careers, they have a choice to either fold or keep getting better,” Saleh said when asked about waiving Pinnock three years ago&period; “He went to the Giants, credit to Wink Martindale, found a role for him and really gave JP confidence that he can play in this league&period;”Pinnock has proven his versatility in the defensive backfield, but there is one trait he hopes to showcase more of this season&period;“Came into this league as a corner, so I can play press-man [coverage],” Pinnock shared&period; “Gritty press-man&period; I’ve come off the edge, I’ve showed that, I got 6&period;5 [sacks] over there in New York&period; I’m good playing down in the run game, and I’m a ball hawk&period; And that’s probably the main thing, I guess, if I had to say I want to show the league, it’s that part&period; Everything else is just as important to me&period;”Pinnock, just like a couple of his other 49ers teammates, became a first-time father this summer, and in the years since his rookie season, has matured exponentially both on and off the field&period; “I wouldn’t say a player as much as man, if that makes sense,” Saleh said when asked how Pinnock has matured over the years&period; “Obviously he was young, second year when we had to cut him, but he’s a dad&period; It feels like he’s grown 20 years, but he still has that youthful athleticism and burst&period;”“I was so raw&period; It was pure talent and memorization,” Pinnock said of his maturation on the field&period; “So I think now it has progressed from memorization to now pre-snap awareness&period; The game is slowing down and now I’m able to show my explosiveness and athletic ability&period;”With a potential starting job up for grabs, the timing for Pinnock could not be better&period; Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast

49ers rookie Upton Stout takes advantage of reps during Day 5 of training camp

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