East Bay Times

49ers adding veteran cornerback Ya-Sin

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Five years after cornerback Rock Ya-Sin battled in one-on-one matchups with wide receiver Deebo Samuel at the Senior Bowl, they'll be doing so again in 49ers practices.

Ya-Sin was signed Thursday to a one-year deal, the 49ers announced.

Drafted in the 2019 second round by the Indianapol­is Colts, Ya-Sin moved on to play with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 and the Baltimore Ravens last year.

His experience (66 games, 40 starts) will bolster a still-young cornerback corps that is led by incumbent starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, each of whom are entering their final season under contract, pending potential extensions.

Ya-Sin, 27, is listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. He has two intercepti­ons, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 29 passes defended and 193 tackles in his NFL career, which has seen him appear in just one playoff game. Ankle and knee injuries have hindered his career.

Ya-Sin was the second pick of the 2019 draft's second round; Samuel went two spots later to the 49ers.

He is the third player signed this week, a month into free agency. On Monday, tight end Eric Saubert and running back Patrick Taylor Jr. also signed one-year deals.

— Cam Inman BROWNS RESTRUCTUR­E CHUBB'S CONTRACT >> The Cleveland Browns have restructur­ed star running back Nick Chubb's contract as he continues to rehab after a season-ending knee injury in 2023.

Chubb was entering his final year under contract after signing a threeyear, $36.6 million deal in 2021.

The 28-year-old Chubb agreed to take a salary cut — he was scheduled to make $11.75 million this season — but can earn back money through incentives.

Men's basketball

DREW STAYING AS BAYLOR'S COACH >> Scott Drew will remain as Baylor's men's basketball coach, stating his desire to “bring more championsh­ips” to the program on social media after being linked to the Kentucky coaching vacancy following John Calipari's departure to Arkansas.

The 53-year-old Drew, who guided the Bears to the NCAA championsh­ip during the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season, quickly emerged as Kentucky's top target to follow Calipari after the Hall of Famer and 2012 title winner resigned Tuesday.

Tennis DJOKOVIC GETS REVENGE OVER MUSETTI >>

Novak Djokovic, a two-time Monte Carlo Masters champion, gained revenge over Lorenzo Musetti, who beat him last year at the Country Club in the third round. Djokovic converted five of six break points and progressed with a confidence-boosting 7-5, 6-3 win.

Sumo wrestling EX-GRAND CHAMPION AKEBONO DIES >>

Hawaii-born Akebono Taro, one of the greats of sumo wrestling and a former grand champion, has died. He was 54. He was the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the level of “yokozuna” — or grand champion — in Japan.

At the prime of his career he was a real giant, reported at the time to weigh 500 pounds (225 kilos) and stand 6-feet-8 — or 2.03 meters.

Akebono was an 11-time grand tournament winner and he retired in 2001.

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