One rookie might be replacing another.
When Chip Kelly addressed the media prior to Tuesday's practice, he mentioned a surprise candidate to replace JaCorey Shepherd at nickel cornerback: second round draft pick Eric Rowe. Why is Rowe a surprise? Because it was only a week ago when defensive coordinator Bill Davis said Rowe would be staying on the outside.
"Right now, [Byron] Maxwell and Rowe and Nolan [Carroll] will stay outside of the corner spot with Nolan jumping into some dime when we go there," Davis said. "But right now we won't put them in the nickel, but they are being taught the nickel.