Brown finished the regular season with 77 tackles (48 solo) and one interception across 17 starts for San Francisco.
Brown built off of his solid rookie campaign in 2023 by serving as the team's starting free safety as a sophomore. The converted corner didn't provide any eye-opening stats from an IDP perspective, but he played his role well for a defense that struggled as a whole in 2024. Brown figures to start at free safety again for the 49ers next season barring a big-name addition in free agency.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Will suit up in season finale
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Brown (ankle) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Brown had been questionable entering the weekend due to a lingering ankle issue, but he'll be available for San Francisco's final game of the campaign. The second-year safety logged only 25 percent of San Francisco's defensive snaps last Monday against Detroit, so he may not see a full workload again versus Arizona. Talanoa Hufanga and Malik Mustapha have gotten the most snaps at safety for the 49ers over the past two weeks while Brown has been dealing with the ankle issue.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Questionable for Week 18
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Brown (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Brown appeared to be trending toward not playing in Sunday's divisional contest after downgrading to no participation at Thursday's practice. However, the second-year safety then logged another limited session Friday, giving himself a chance to suit up in Week 18. If Brown is able to play through his ankle issue, he's expected to start alongside Talanoa Hufanga as part of San Francisco's top safety duo.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Downgrades to DNP on Thursday
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Brown (ankle) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Brown was limited in Wednesday's session, so this is a downgrade for San Francisco's safety headed into Sunday's Week 18 finale against the Cardinals. The Niners have a laundry list of injuries on the defensive side of the ball and could be playing a number of backups in a game that has little meaning for either club.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Limited to open week
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Brown (ankle) was a limited participant at the 49ers' practice Wednesday.
Brown was able to play through the ankle injury in the team's 40-34 loss to the Lions in Week 17, recording two tackles (one solo). His ability to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday is a good sign for his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cardinals.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Good to go against Detroit
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Brown (ankle) is active for Monday night's game against the Lions, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Brown suffered an ankle injury in Week 16 against the Dolphins, but he has been cleared to play Monday after being limited in practice all week. The 2023 third-round pick has logged 70 tackles (45 solo) and five pass defenses (including one interception) across 15 regular-season games.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Questionable for Week 17
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Brown (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Lions, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Brown suffered an ankle injury during the 49ers' Week 16 loss to the Dolphins. The injury limited him in practice all week, and he is in danger of missing his first game of the regular season. Should Brown be inactive for MNF, Malik Mustapha would likely serve as the 49ers' starting free safety alongside strong safety Talanoa Hufanga.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Opens week with limited practice
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Brown (ankle) logged a limited practice session Thursday.
Brown hurt his ankle in Sunday's loss to Miami, and he was able to play only four defensive snaps in that contest. His ability to log a limited practice Thursday suggests the second-year safety could be available Monday against Detroit, though his practice participation level Friday and Saturday certainly bears monitoring. If Brown can't suit up against the Lions, Talanoa Hufanga and Malik Mustapha would likely serve as San Francisco's starting safeties, with Tashaun Gipson working in a rotational role.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Past groin injury
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Brown (groin) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Brown injured his groin during the 49ers' 12-6 loss to the Rams this past Thursday and finished with six tackles (four solo). It doesn't appear to be a lingering issue as he was able to practice without limitations Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, Brown should be good to go against the Dolphins on Sunday.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Viewed as day-to-day
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Brown (groin) is considered day-to-day after being injured in Thursday night's loss to the Rams, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Brown gets an extended break ahead of the 49ers' Week 16 game against the Dolphins, so his practice participation level will be monitored next week. Tashaun Gipson replaced Brown against Los Angeles and would be in line for an increased role if Brown is unable to play next week.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Questionable to return Thursday
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Brown (groin) is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Rams, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
The safety made five tackles (three solo) before exiting. Brown has 68 tackles (43 solo) and five pass breakups, including an interception, on the year. Tashaun Gipson is in for him, per Inman.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Finishes rookie season as starter
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Brown recorded 35 tackles (22 solo) with two interceptions over 15 games with San Francisco in 2023.
The third round pick started the season backing up Talanoa Hufanga while being mixed in on certain defensive packages. A combination of strong play and an injury to Hufanga afforded Brown the opportunity to thrive as the starting strong safety for a dominant 49ers defense in the second half of the season. Starting free safety Tashaun Gipson will be an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason, so Brown has a path to a starting job as a sophomore if the veteran signs with another club.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Won't play Sunday
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Brown (foot) is out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
The third-round rookie will miss his second straight game. Brown took over starting duties for the Niners after Talanoa Hufanga suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 11. Brown will have the upcoming bye week to try and get ready for the Niners' divisional round playoff date.
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49ers' Ji'Ayir Brown: Unavailable Wednesday
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Brown (knee) did not participate at the 49ers' practice Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Brown missed the team's Week 17 win over the Commanders with a knee injury, which has continued to keep him on the sidelines to open the week. With the 49ers already locked into the top seed in the NFC for the postseason, it's possible that the team opts to keep Brown off the field again in Week 18. More information on the safety's status will come following Thursday's second practice session of the week.
