49ers Sign Veteran Cornerback Eli Apple to One-Year Contract

Apple last played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 after being promoted from the practice squad to the regular roster in November. A hamstring injury limited him to just four games played once he was called up.

The nine-year journeyman will now suit up for his seventh different team after being drafted No. 10 overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He then had stops with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins before the Chargers and 49ers.

This addition won't move the needle for many in Niners Nation, and may come with an eye roll of frustration after San Francisco was relatively quiet during the peak of free agency months ago.

The team saw numerous impact players sign elsewhere, but the 49ers front office chose to prioritize re-signing franchise stars like Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Fred Warner.

Now with training camp in full swing, head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh have had some time to assess the roster and determine if a late signing was needed. After presumptive rising starter Renardo Green suffered a hamstring injury this week, the staff brings in another depth piece that could fight for reps in the starting lineup down the line.

Green isn't expected to be back until Aug. 11, which allows Apple to be a plug-in guy during the rest of training camp and the first few preseason games.

In his career, Apple has accumulated 383 tackles, six interceptions and 61 pass breakups in 102 games (82 starts).