Things are weird in 49ers' secondary

SANTA CLARA >> I will say it again: Safeties are destiny in the NFL playoffs.

So it's a bit concerning that we don't know whose hands the 49ers will put their destiny in for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Lions.

And it's certainly not helpful that playing alongside that mystery safety will be a No. 2 cornerback, Ambry Thomas, whom the 49ers cannot trust following a woeful performance in the divisional round.

Yes, the Niners' secondary is a bit of a mess right now. Things are a bit weird.

So, if you're looking for a point of susceptibility for the 49ers going into Sunday's game— especially with Deebo Samuel practicing on Thursday — this is it.

And unfortunately for the Niners, the time to sort it out was a month ago, not a few days ahead of facing the most explosive pass offense this team has faced since October.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks might be trying to obfuscate their plans at safety, but they're making clear: They don't trust their secondary.

They're telling Detroit exactly where to attack.

With Thomas, there's not much the Niners can do — Deommodore Lenoir is thriving in his hybrid defensive back role, defending the slot in nickel formations (two linebackers, five defensive backs) and the outside in base (three linebackers, four defensive backs). Wilks would be foolish to move him from that job.

And after Thomas on the outside cornerback depth chart, there's… no one. Darrell Luther has 20 snaps in meaningful games this season. Samuel Womack has 26. You're not putting either of them out there against Amon-Ra

St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, and Jameson Williams.