Cornerback Perrish Cox, who is on track to make San Francisco's 53-man roster, can go into the season confident he won't face any suspensions from the NFL. A league source said today that Cox won't be disciplined in relation to a sexual assault case from 2010 and that the 49ers and Cox have been notified of the decision.
The 49ers signed Cox in March shortly after he was found not guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at his Denver apartment in 2010. The woman has since filed a civil suit against Cox and former Broncos teammate Demaryius Thomas, who was at the apartment the night of the alleged incident.
Under the league's personal conduct policy, players can be disciplined even if they are found non-guilty in court. The NFL was reviewing Cox's case until recently.
Cox has been the most impressive newcomer to a defensive unit that returns all 11 starters from the 2011 season. He's been playing with the second-string defense -- he had an interception in Friday's preseason opener -- and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has liked what he's seen from Cox as a nickel cornerback as well. The 49ers this season will face several teams that like to use four-receiver sets, and an extra nickel back will be needed in those cases.
"We like Perrish," Fangio said earlier this year. "We've got him playing nickel and corner, which are two different positions. There's no carry over from one to the other, from an assignment and technique standpoint. And he's done well learning both those positions and we're very happy to have him. He's given us added depth and he's going to push for added playing time if he continues the work that he's showing so far."
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A league source (a different one) says that the 49ers have reached an injury settlement with tight end Nate Byham. CSN Bay Area first reported this development Thursday night.
The settlement means that Byham will not be placed on injured reserve and that the 49ers now have an extra roster spot. Byham can re-join the 49ers when he is healthy, although that move can't happen until six weeks after he is cleared to resume playing.
Byham suffered an ACL tear a year ago. He was laboring in recent practices and had an MRI earlier this week. That led to a procedure to repair loose cartilage in his left knee on Tuesday.
-- Matt Barrows
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