SANTA CLARA — Halfway through their rookie seasons, cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. and center Corey Luciano are getting their first chance to suit up for the 49ers.
Luter was activated Saturday off the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list while Luciano was elevated from the practice squad ahead of potential debuts Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Luter, a fifth-round draft pick from South Alabama, has been recovering the past five months from a knee injury, which may have involved a tibia fracture.
His three-week evaluation window was opened Nov. 6, along with two short-term Injured Reserve candidates: cornerback Sam Womack (knee) and rookie defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring).
“For sure it’s been a roller coaster, but being able to be in this position and come to this facility every day and just work, regardless of the situation, has been a blessing,” Luter said last week. “When you’re out and hurt, you get to observe a lot of things you don’t see when you’re out on the field doing things physically with your body.
“Mentally, the game has come a lot easier for me,” Luter added. “It’s helped me understand it and break it down a lot smoother than it was before.”
Luter joins a cornerback corps that is led by Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, with Ambry Thomas and Isaiah Oliver also seeing a lot of action thus far this season. Veteran Jason Verrett has auditioned twice in the past month and is expected to join the practice squad next week.
Luciano is an undrafted rookie out of Washington, by way of Monte Vista High-Danville and Diablo Valley College. He’s served as Jake Brendel’s backup in practice.
The 49ers are down an interior linemen as left guard Aaron Banks (toe) misses a second straight game, with Jon Feliciano again starting in his place.
As for Womack and Beal, they technically have one week of practice remaining before the 49ers must decide to activate them off Injured Reserve or leave them there the rest of the season. However, the 49ers are only expected to practice Tuesday before their next game, Thursday night in Seattle.