49ers report card: How well did San Francisco's CBs play in 2025? — and more

The San Francisco 49ers battled through injuries to several key players to win 12 games in the regular season and upset the defending Super Bowl champions in the wild-card round before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the divisional round.

That's an outstanding achievement for a team that finished the year without Brandon Aiyuk, Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and George Kittle, who probably would've been in the list of top eight players the 49ers couldn't lose this past year.

As we continue to work our way through the season that was, today, we'll dissect the cornerback room and hand them each a grade for their year-end report card.

Deommodore Lenoir: B+

After signing a monster five-year, $88.9 million deal midway through the 2024 season, Lenoir played the most defensive snaps for the 49ers in 2025. He finished with 61 tackles, five passes defensed and two interceptions while allowing a 90.5 passer rating when targeted (via Pro Football Reference). He was also penalized 10 times, which was tied for the sixth-most in the league.

Renardo Green: C+

Green, San Francisco's second-round pick in 2024, was the team's starting cornerback opposite Lenoir. He played and started 14 games and recorded 60 tackles and 10 passes defensed. He allowed an 80.0 passer rating when targeted (69 times).

Upton Stout: C+

The 5-foot-9 rookie out of Western Kentucky stepped up and proved that he belongs in the NFL, playing 16 games and starting four for the 49ers. He finished the year with 82 tackles, five passes defensed, one sack and one forced fumble. His size limits what he can do in coverage, but he's often right there to bring down the receiver after a reception.

Darrell Luter Jr.: D+

2025 was Luter's third season with the team, and he played 271 snaps on defense, which was by far the most opportunities he's seen in the league, surpassing the 64 defensive snaps he took as a rookie. Still, Luter struggled in coverage reps, surrendering a 101.0 passer rating when targeted. He finished with 28 tackles, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.

Chase Lucas: INC

Lucas spent the 2024 season on the team's practice squad, but he made the roster out of camp in 2025 after showing out in training camp and preseason. He may have played in 15 games, but most of his work was on special teams, playing 204 snaps in the third phase, opposed to just 98 on defense. There may be something there, but he needs more opportunities to show it.

More 49ers: What a Mac Jones trade between the 49ers and Vikings might look like

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers report card: How well did San Francisco's CBs play in 2025?

Tony Clark has been the leader of the players union since Michael Weiner’s death in late 2013

Tottenham Target Castello Lukeba Amid Defensive Uncertainty

Tottenham Hotspur are exploring a move for RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba as questions swirl around the futures of Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven, according to Sports Boom. It is a development that speaks to both urgency and ambition at a club navigating turbulence.

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Spurs sit five points above the relegation zone with 12 games remaining in the Premier League. Thomas Frank has departed, Igor Tudor has been appointed until the end of the season, and European qualification looks distant. Yet planning continues. Recruitment meetings have not paused.

Lukeba Profile Fits Premier League Demands

Lukeba has been described as “world-class”, praise that reflects his rapid ascent in Germany. Still only 21, the France international has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s standout young defenders. Leipzig rewarded him with a new contract containing a £78m release clause.

The fee is significant. However, Leipzig’s own uncertainty around Champions League qualification may influence their stance. Sports Boom report that an offer beginning at a guaranteed €60m, £52m, rising towards €90m, £78m, in add-ons would be considered. That nuance matters. It shifts discussion from clause to negotiation.

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Tottenham’s interest centres on stylistic suitability. Lukeba is comfortable in a high defensive line, progressive in possession and left footed, attributes highly valued in modern Premier League systems. There have already been talks between the player’s representatives and delegates from Premier League clubs, though specific names remain undisclosed.

Planning for Post Romero Era

Underlying this pursuit is instability. Romero’s future appears uncertain, with suggestions he is open to a departure. Van de Ven has been linked with Liverpool, who are assessing centre back options. Spurs may soon face a scenario where both established starters are unavailable.

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Investing in Lukeba would represent proactive succession planning rather than reactive repair. Even in a season marked by inconsistency, the club’s hierarchy are determined to avoid stagnation. A high calibre defender entering his prime aligns with that objective.

There is risk in committing such resources without guaranteed European revenue. Yet Tottenham’s recent struggles have illustrated the cost of defensive fragility. Securing a defender of Lukeba’s profile could stabilise a side that has conceded too many soft goals.

Spurs must now balance financial prudence with competitive necessity. Lukeba’s name has entered that calculation.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Spurs have often been accused of shopping a tier below Europe’s elite. Targeting one of the Bundesliga’s most promising defenders suggests a refusal to retreat.

Sitting five points above the relegation zone is uncomfortable territory. Fans will question whether a £60m to £78m commitment is realistic without European football.

Romero’s possible exit and Van de Ven’s links elsewhere create anxiety. Stability at centre back has been rare currency. If both depart, supporters would demand immediate quality rather than experimentation.

Lukeba’s age and left footed profile appeal. His comfort in a high line suits modern tactical demands. Spurs fans have long wanted defenders who can defend space and initiate attacks.

Ultimately, ambition must match execution. If Tottenham move decisively and secure Lukeba on sensible terms, it would signal belief in long term rebuilding rather than short term firefighting. For a fanbase craving direction, that clarity would be welcome.

NC State made a couple more additions through the portal recently to add depth at quarterback and offensive tackle: former Coastal Carolina quarterback Tad Hudson, and ex-UT Martin offensive tackle Jai’Lun Hampton are now in the fold.

Hudson, who spent his freshman season at UNC, was Coastal’s primary starter in 2025 and played pretty poorly, completing just 54.7% of his passes for an average of 4.9 yards per attempt. He threw six touchdown passes and seven interceptions. Ideally, of course, he won’t start a game for NC State in 2026, but should the worst happen, he at least gives the team an option with starting experience.

Hampton, who is listed at 6’9 and 335, was UT-Martin’s starting left tackle in 2025 and earned second-team all-conference honors. He also provides insurance against injuries, and who knows, maybe he’ll push ECU transfer Jimarion McCrimon for the starting spot opposite Teague Andersen.

Since we’re well into the spring semester at this point, neither player will be enrolling until the summer. Hudson has two years left, Hampton has one.

Canada has gone back-to-back at the speedskating track.

Isabelle Weidemann, Ivanie Blondin and Valerie Maltais won gold for the second Olympics in a row in women’s team pursuit on Tuesday.

The Canadians beat the Netherlands in the gold-medal race.

It is the third gold medal and 12th medal overall for Canada at Milano Cortina 2026.

More to come.