Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers training camp: 10 returning veterans on the hot seat

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 20: Quinton Dial #92 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 20: Quinton Dial #92 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 04: Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers walks toward the locker room at the conclusion of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeat the San Francisco 49ers 26-6. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 04: Daniel Kilgore #67 of the San Francisco 49ers walks toward the locker room at the conclusion of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Bears defeat the San Francisco 49ers 26-6. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Center Daniel Kilgore

The 49ers brought in 2016 Pro Bowl center Jeremy Zuttah earlier this offseason, and it seems he’ll be the favorite to earn the starting job.

Centers are an important component for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and this doesn’t bode well for the incumbent, Daniel Kilgore.

Kilgore has had trouble staying healthy ever since taking over starting duties in 2014. Not only is this a mark against his long-term future with the team, but Zuttah’s pickup doesn’t bode well either.

In addition, San Francisco added free-agent center Tim Barnes as well. While Barnes is probably the third-best option on this list, the Niners might consider Kilgore a more expendable piece based off the injury history.

If Kilgore does have something in his favor, it’s the fact he’s capable of doubling as a guard. It’s possible the 2018 pending free agent winds up being an interior backup if the 49ers call upon him to do so.

He’ll have to prove this value though.