Kirkpatrick was inactive Monday night with an ankle injury. It signals that the 49ers might be willing to play Ambry Thomas or Deommodore Lenoir over a slogging veteran signed off the streets. Kirkpatrick's contributions to the team included getting run over by Eno Benjamin in Week 9.

The 49ers just lost starting corner Jason Verrett to a season-ending ACL injury so a veteran signing was bound to come. Kirkpatrick made a handful of visits this year, including one to San Francisco, but no team took a shot on the 31-year-old before the start of the season. He started 11 games for the Cardinals in 2020 and defended seven passes while adding a trio of interceptions. Fitzpatrick's play has dipped in recent years but he's a solid signing for a team in need of an experienced option at corner. 

32-year-old Kirkpatrick has gradually declined across his career with the Bengals (and during last year's 11 starts for Arizona) but the Saints are admittedly in need of a league-average player across from Marshon Lattimore. Kirkpatrick also visited with the Patriots recently and will likely be signed in the next few weeks given his number of interested suitors.

The longtime Bengal started 11 games for the Cardinals last season, notching three picks and seven deflections. Headed into his age-32 campaign, Kirkpatrick did earn subpar PFF marks last season after a gradual decline in Cincinnati. He would provide experienced depth for the league's brightest defensive mind in New England after Jason McCourty recently left in free agency.