49ers cornerback Jason Verrett is having his best year since 2015 when he played in 14 games for the Chargers and made the Pro Bowl. Since then, injuries have defined the former first-round pick’s career.
Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper on Friday told Cowboys reporters that he remembers Verrett before injuries derailed him, and is glad to see the corner playing at a high level again.
“I remember his last season he was real healthy. He was having a phenomenal year and he was locking guys down who were at the top of their position,” Cooper said. “He’s actually a really good cornerback. I used to tell people all the time that I thought he was one of the best. And, so, it’s good to see him back out there competing, staying healthy. He still looks good even though he’s been out so long, I think three or four years. He hasn’t played a full season. So, I’ve been studying him on film. He looks good, and I can’t wait to go out there and see.”
The two players go back some since they played in the same division until Cooper was traded to Dallas halfway through the 2018 season. However, Verrett only played against Cooper’s Raiders two times. In one of those games Cooper went off for 133 yards and a touchdown. In the other he had two catches for 10 yards.
Verrett this season has played in 11 games since getting the starting job in Week 3. In a season filled with injuries in the 49ers’ secondary, Verrett has been the only one who’s managed to stay on the field.
Cooper’s assessment of the cornerback’s performance is supported by some strong numbers. He has two interceptions and six pass breakups. Pro Football Focus has him down for 31 receptions, 308 yards and one touchdown allowed on 45 targets. Opposing quarterbacks have a 76.9 passer rating when targeting him.
The 49ers’ cornerbacks don’t typically travel with receivers, so Cooper won’t consistently draw Verrett. However, they’ll likely get some matchups, and it’ll be fun to see them go at it when they are lined up across from one another.