The Nnamdi Asomugha experiment is over in San Francisco.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the 49ers planned to waive the veteran cornerback to make room for the expected activation of fellow defensive back Eric Wright, per two sources informed of the impending move. The 49ers later made Asomugha's departure official and also added Wright to the 53-man roster.
Asomugha seized the third cornerback role in August, only to tumble down the depth chart behind talented nickel man Tramaine Brock and undrafted rookie Darryl Morris. The 32-year-old Asomugha has been a healthy scratch for much of the season while the team patiently waited for Wright, who's been practicing since Oct. 15 on the heels of an undisclosed injury.
Asomugha's play has been in swift decline since the four-time All-Pro inked a bloated free-agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2011 season.
Wright -- who started the season on the active/non-football injury list -- isn't a major upgrade. He was a sheer disappointment with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season after a solid 2011 campaign with the Detroit Lions. Wright's first four years in the league were spent with the Cleveland Browns, who snagged him in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
UPDATE: Some additional housekeeping: San Francisco, as expected, also activated wide receiver Mario Manningham on Monday. The veteran receiver is coming off last year's season-ending knee surgery and spent the early part of this campaign on the reserve/physically unable to perform list before returning to practice on Oct. 15.
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