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Ex-Giants Safety Running Out of Room on 49ers Roster After Two Underwhelming Preseason Weeks

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SANTA CLARA — Aug. 18, 2025. The 49ers signed former Giants defensive back Jason Pinnock to a one-year deal this spring expecting a steady veteran to stabilize a reorganized safety room. Five months later, the competition has tightened—rookies are flashing, and Pinnock’s margin for error is shrinking.

In Preseason Week 1 vs. the Broncos, local evaluations tagged Pinnock among the game’s “losers,” citing a missed tackle and chain-moving plays allowed in limited snaps—exactly the kind of small, costly details that stick on film when jobs are decided in August.

Since then, the depth chart around him has only gotten louder. Fifth-round rookie Marques Sigle has pushed into first-team looks while drawing praise, and UDFA Jaylen Mahoney posted a team-best 91.4 defensive grade against the Raiders—momentum plays that squeeze a veteran’s runway. 

Complicating matters, Pinnock left a recent practice with an undisclosed issue, costing him reps during a crucial evaluation window. Availability counts in August, and every lost period in team drills is a missed chance to reframe the tape. 

The context is unforgiving: Robert Saleh is back running San Francisco’s defense, and the club has been blunt that the safety battle is wide open. Translation—pedigree and contract size won’t win the job; leverage, angles, trigger, and finishing at the catch point will.

What flips the script in the finale? For Pinnock, the checklist is narrow but clear:

  • Own the alley (clean outside-in tackle, no leaky yards).

  • Win match points at the top of routes (eyes/feet/leverage synced).

  • Stamp special teams (gunner/vice rep that shows up on film).

  • Amid that evaluation, the head man’s message  lands without polish:

    Kyle Shanahan: “We respect Jason’s effort, but here, opportunities are earned in pads and on every snap. First-rounder or UDFA, we keep guys who process fast, play with the right motor, and are reliable in our system. Right now we need absolute discipline in his eyes, feet, and leverage—and we have to finish at the catch point. If that standard isn’t met, we have to make a tough decision.”

    The signing made sense in March; the competition has made it ruthless in August. With Sigle’s rise and Mahoney’s surge, the film-first standard will determine who stands next to Ji’Ayir Brown in September. Pinnock still has a lane—but it’s down to the snaps left on this preseason tape

    49ers Fan-Favourite OL Faces Family Tragedy Ahead of Week 6 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
    San Francisco 49ers rookie offensive lineman Dominick Puni is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters.Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee. (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Puni, whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller's , grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dominick that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Dominick lives and plays today.” Puni, a rookie out of Kansas, has steadily earned the 49ers’ trust along the offensive line, praised for his physicality in the run game and poise in protection. Coaches describe him as “wise beyond his years.” The 49ers have privately offered support and time for Puni and his family, ensuring he can process the loss away from team obligations. Teammates have rallied behind him, honoring his family’s resilience and service background. The FAA is investigating the incident, while tributes to Fuller — under his nickname “Spidey” — continue to flood social media from military peers, skydivers, and fans nationwide. “He taught others to fly — now he’s flying higher than all of us,” one tribute read.