Jaquiski Tartt will be the 49ers’ top free safety against the Panthers Sunday, the seventh straight game he has started at the position.
Last year a late-season biceps tear to Eric Reid forced Tartt, a former second-round draft pick, into the lineup and he started the last six contests.
The position has changed significantly this season, however. The 49ers use what is called a single-high free safety, which means that player often is alone deep in the secondary and is responsible for all the action deep and medium in the middle of the field.
Reid plays strong safety, which often lines up close to the line of scrimmage.