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Will James | Defensive Back

Team: San Francisco 49ers
Age / DOB:  (33) / 6/15/1979
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 200
College: Western Illinois
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Recent News

Ex-NFL cornerback Will James has been sentenced to seven months in prison for failing to file a federal income tax return for 2005.
James, formerly known as William Peterson, played ten seasons in the NFL, most recently in 2010 with the 49ers. He was a third-round pick of the Giants in 2001, and also spent time with the Eagles, Jaguars, and Lions. James made $5.5 million in 2005, the year in which he didn't file taxes. Jan 31 - 5:06 PM
Source: Associated Press

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Player News

Date:
Will James - DB - 49ers

49ers CB Will James is still experiencing concussion-related symptoms, reports CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.

James will meet with a doctor shortly, and is expected to sit out the Week 12 Monday Night matchup against Arizona. Phillip Adams and Tarell Brown will share nickel back duties with James sidelined.
Source: Matt Maiocco on Twitter
Sat, Nov 27, 2010 05:42:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

49ers CB Will James left Sunday's game in the first quarter after suffering a head injury.

The Niners' nickel back is considered doubtful to return.
Source: Matt Maiocco on Twitter
Sun, Nov 14, 2010 04:27:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

Will James has replaced Tarell Brown as the 49ers' third cornerback.

James would have had the role earlier in the season, but he missed the first four games of the season with a sprained ankle. The 49ers remain a plus matchup for opposing fantasy receivers.
Related: Tarell Brown
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 12:33:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

49ers CB Will James (high ankle sprain) is expected to miss "at least" the first two regular season games.

James suffered the injury in mid-August, but it sounds like it was severe. Opposing offenses would be smart to spread out San Francisco's secondary early on, because their No. 4 corner is seventh-round rookie Phillip Adams.
Source: Comcast Sports Bay Area
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 10:36:00 AM
Will James - DB - 49ers

49ers CB Will James is out 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain.

It's a blow to the secondary, as he was running with the first-team defense in nickel situations. Tarell Brown and Karl Paymah will have to step it up.
Source: CSN Bay Area
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 11:31:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

49ers CB Will James' agent revealed that the hairline fracture his client suffered was in his pubic bone.

No wonder coach Mike Singletary declined to give details about this injury. James is expected to be cleared to return to the field when the Niners return to practice on June 7.
Source: csnbayarea.com
Wed, May 26, 2010 10:28:00 AM
Will James - DB - 49ers

Updating a previous item, 49ers CB Will James sat out OTAs because of a hairline fracture.

It was originally reported that James was a bystander simply because he didn't know the playbook yet. Coach Mike Singletary declined to say where the fracture is located. James needs to get healthy to compete with Karl Paymah for one of the final secondary spots.
Source: Sacramento Bee
Fri, May 21, 2010 09:17:00 AM
Will James - DB - 49ers

49ers CB Will James is not practicing with the team because he doesn't know the defensive playbook yet.

James' mediocre talent is a bigger concern than his ability to learn the plays. He'll be competing with Karl Paymah, who ran with the first-team at minicamp while starters Shawntae Spencer and Nate Clements skipped out.
Related: Karl Paymah
Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Thu, May 20, 2010 09:34:00 AM
Will James - DB - 49ers

49ers agreed to terms with CB Will James on a one-year contract.

Coming off a poor season in Detroit, James will likely compete with journeymen Karl Paymah and Keith Smith for one spot. If James sees significant playing time in 2010, the Niners' pass defense is in trouble.
Source: Matt Maiocco on Twitter
Wed, May 5, 2010 08:25:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

Cardinals DBs coach Donnie Henderson has "had some conversations" recently with free agent CB Will James.

The Cards are thin at corner, and used Trumaine McBride at nickel back behind Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Michael Adams at their first minicamp. James, who will visit the 49ers on Monday, played for Henderson in Jacksonville two years ago when Henderson coached the Jaguars' DBs.
Related: Cardinals
Source: Arizona Republic
Sun, May 2, 2010 03:40:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

The 49ers will host free agent CB Will James on Monday.

James, 31, would compete for a roster spot in San Francisco. Somewhat surprisingly, the Niners didn't come out of the draft with cornerback help.
Related: 49ers
Source: National Football Post
Fri, Apr 30, 2010 06:08:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

The Bears were reportedly close to signing free agent CB Will James over the weekend.

It's unclear if the team's selection of rookie CB Joshua Moore will impact the possible move. James, a 31-year-old journeyman, saw way too much action in Detroit last season. He was a liability against both the run and pass.
Related: Bears
Source: Chicago Tribune
Sun, Apr 25, 2010 10:45:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

The Seahawks met with free agent CB Will James on Thursday.

James, a size corner at 6'0/200, could help the Seahawks if they're planning to install a zone scheme in the back end. James was beat regularly as a press corner last year and is going on 31, so he won't be counted on to start.
Related: Seahawks
Source: National Football Post
Fri, Mar 12, 2010 02:03:00 PM
Will James - DB - 49ers

Free agent CB Will James has scheduled a visit with the Seahawks.

James started 14 games for the Lions last year in one of the worst secondaries the NFL has ever seen. If the Seahawks are expecting him to play meaningful snaps, they're in trouble.
Related: Seahawks
Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com
Sat, Mar 6, 2010 12:39:00 PM

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3RB1Frank Gore
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FB1Bruce Miller
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WR11Michael Crabtree
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4Ricardo Lockette
5Marlon Moore
WR21Anquan Boldin
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WR31A.J. Jenkins
TE1Vernon Davis
2Vance McDonald
3Garrett Celek
4Cameron Morrah
5MarQueis Gray
K1Phil Dawson