4 gamers who’ve performed their final recreation with San Francisco

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Josh Norman (26) Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Although the 49ers are in the playoffs, these four players are on their last field for San Francisco and will be gone next season.

It’s that time again, the San Francisco 49ers are back in the playoffs.

It’s been 18 long weeks of grueling, intense football and it hasn’t always been pretty. Wild card games are on, the Niners are visiting the Dallas Cowboys, and more than half the league is watching from the comfort of their own living room.

Whether or not it sounds ridiculous to fans of these other teams, they officially have Super Bowl 56 in their sights.

And why not? Anything can happen on any Sunday, and for the next few weeks it can also happen on a Saturday.

Your thoughts couldn’t be further from the off-season. Because when you start the off-season today, your team ends up in the losing column, and all you can think about right now is winning. But no matter when it happens, the process of letting players go comes. Football is a business and it can be cutthroat.

For a number of guys, dropping the hatchet is inevitable.

That being said, here are four players who aren’t in the squad for next season and have already played their last game against San Francisco.

No. 1: 49ers cornerback Josh Norman

Veteran defenseman Josh Norman was signed to start against Emmanuel Moseley after cornerback Jason Verrett was injured in Week 1.

Norman made a quick impression for the team, starting 14 games and proving his consistency by playing over 70 percent of defensive snaps. Despite his playing days, Norman has received a lot of criticism in this position and is nearing the end of his career at the age of 35.

Two big factors certainly not in his favor.

His age may not be the determining factor due to a lack of depth and proven talent at the cornerback position. But it sure doesn’t help. As if that wasn’t enough, his behavior over the past few weeks sees him prioritizing signing for the off-season.

In Week 16, Norman was roasted by Tennessee Titans wide receiver AJ Brown, who rushed for 145 yards and 11 receptions in the season. Norman then ended the night with a pass interference call that eventually led to a bench press. Head coach Kyle Shanahan decided to extend the bench press to the Los Angeles Rams game with the playoffs at stake.

That doesn’t sound like a guy that fits into the franchise plan moving forward.

Shanahan needs someone who can keep their cool under pressure and set an example for the younger players. We’ll have to wait and see if Norman plays a role in the playoffs. That’s when he’s in the lineup.

Although it was just a move at the end of the game, you’d think rookie Ambry Thomas would fly high and get the start.