Erik Harris, the forgotten X factor in the crowded 49ers safety room

The 49ers have plenty of potential starting safeties in 2024, but veteran Erik Harris appears to be out of the discussion.

One of the most intriguing battles to watch when the San Francisco 49ers begin training camp later in July will be at safety.

Several names will be the main contenders for the two starting positions: Talanoa Hufanga, Ji’Ayir Brown, George Odum, Malik Mustapha and even Tayler Hawkins.

Oh, and veteran defensive back Erik Harris too.

There are a lot of “oh, I forgot that guy was on the roster” Niners players entering 2024, and Harris is certainly among them. A long-time starter who entered the league in 2016 as an undrafted free agent for the New Orleans Saints, after a stint in the CFL, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound defenseman quickly moved to the Oakland Raiders and became a full-time starter for the Silver and Black in 2019 and 2020.

He also spent two years with the Atlanta Falcons, primarily playing a reserve role. During his career, Harris played in 94 regular season games and started 43, recording 267 tackles, 28 pass breakups and five interceptions during that span.

So how did he end up finding his way to San Francisco?

Harris hit the free agent market in 2023, but didn’t immediately find any suitors.

However, in late November, Hufanga suffered a torn ACL that ended his season, prompting the 49ers to make a shake-up of their 53-player active roster and practice squad. Brown took on a larger role, while Hawkins would eventually move up the ranks from the reserve unit, leaving an opening for a new backup team.

A week after Hufanga’s torn ACL, the Niners signed Harris to a practice squad.

Harris found himself promoted to the active roster several times late in the season, appearing in three regular season games and contributing almost exclusively on special teams.

But those efforts were enough to convince San Francisco to sign the veteran to a reserve/future contract through 2024.

Harris is certainly part of the discussion amid a crowded safety crop this offseason. But the 49ers are almost guaranteed not to view the 34-year-old as a legitimate starter or even a primary backup.

Instead, the Niners envision the trio of Hufanga, Brown and Mustapha as the primary contenders for the two starting jobs, while Odum should be considered the go-to backup in case of injury.

However, Harris has a chance to stick around and find a spot on the 53-man roster if two very specific things happen.

First, Hufanga’s recovery will have to extend into the regular season, which could force him to start the season on injured reserve. Second, Mustapha’s development as a rookie will have to be slower than expected, prompting San Francisco to consider the aging veteran as the fourth option of four likely players on the depth chart.

What’s more likely, though, is Harris participating in training camp and the preseason. But he’ll likely be part of the roster cuts before Week 1, and it might even be questionable whether the 49ers will use a practice squad spot for him, opting to go with someone younger who can become a longer term option.

Learn more about Niner Noise