Return possible:
Safety Jaquiski Tartt practices in a non-contact jersey.
Jaquiski Tartt practiced in a noncontact jersey Tuesday and Thursday, signaling what would be a significant return for the 49ers’ defense ahead of Sunday’s regularseason finale at Seattle.
Before this week, the strong safety hadn’t been able to participate in any drills since injuring his ribs in the Dec. 1 loss at Baltimore, and the 49ers’ defense hasn’t been the same without the 2015 secondround pick.
With Marcell Harris starting in Tartt’s place the past three weeks, the 49ers have allowed nine passing touchdowns, have had only one interception and have surrendered an average of 294 passing yards per game. In their first 12 games, the 49ers allowed 12 touchdown passes and 133.5 passing yards per game with 11 interceptions.
Opponents have averaged 35.3 points per game against the 49ers in the past three games. That’s after being held to 15.3 points in the first 12.
“Tartt is really a smart player. He’s smarter than he gets credit for,” cornerback Richard Sherman said. “He plays instinctually. He plays really fast. He trusts what he sees. He’s way more experienced than you’d think. He recognizes plays fast. He doesn’t get beat on the same play twice. Those are the attributes of a very good player.”
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Tartt has yet to be cleared by the team’s medical staff. But once he is, Saleh said he’ll plug Tartt right back into the starting lineup despite a handful of easily glossed over stats: tied for seventh on the team in tackles (48), just two pass deflections, one forced fumble and no interceptions this season.
“When he and (linebacker) Fred (Warner) are out there communicating, it just brings the whole defense together,” Saleh said. “That’s something that the naked eye won’t ever see: The amount of calm he brings out there.”
Tartt and Jimmie Ward — high school teammates in Mobile, Ala. — give the 49ers versatility because of their abilities to play either safety spot and disguise coverages.
The coaching staff raves about Tartt’s ability to pick up indicators in the opposing offense’s personnel and alignment and communicate the necessary assignments for the 49ers’ defense.
“Tartt likes to talk out there and communicate with everyone,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Jimmie is more of a silent assassin, and Tartt is more of the communicator out there. Marcell is a little bit more of a silent assassin also, but the more he’s out there, the more experience he gets, the more he does communicate. …
“Usually when something happens in the secondary, besides someone just getting beat in man coverage, usually it’s a communication issue.”