Niner Noise
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49ers training camp 2018: 10 takeaways from Week 2

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 29: The San Francisco 49ers run their drills on the practice field during training camp at the 49ers practice facilities on July 29, 2003 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 29: The San Francisco 49ers run their drills on the practice field during training camp at the 49ers practice facilities on July 29, 2003 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 04: Joshua Garnett #65 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 04: Joshua Garnett #65 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 4, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Offensive Guard Joshua Garnett Is Officially On the Hot Seat

Late last week, third-year guard Joshua Garnett banged his knee against a teammate in practice. He hasn’t seen the field since.

Earlier this week, Kyle Shanahan noted he was “surprised” Garnett wasn’t out there, going so far as to say he’d be “more surprised if he’s not out there [Thursday].”

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Well, Garnett didn’t practice Thursday and was absent from Friday’s session as well.

It’s the same knee Garnett had surgically repaired a year ago at this time — the same injury that forced the former first-round draft pick to miss all of 2017. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, though, a second opinion revealed there won’t be a need for another surgery on the knee. All that’s needed is continued rehab.

That’s good news for Garnett, somewhat. But it doesn’t change the fact it could cause him a starting job this season, perhaps even a roster spot.

Right guard figures to be the primary weakness along the 49ers offensive line this season. Free-agent pickup, Jonathan Cooper, has just been cleared from offseason MCL surgery and is only starting to go through individual drills. Meanwhile, veteran offensive lineman Mike Person has taken a lot of the first-team reps at right guard.

Garnett needs as many snaps as he can between now and the end of camp. Unless, of course, the Niners are strongly considering moving him before Week 1, which wouldn’t be a horrible idea.

Next. 49ers stock watch after the first week of training camp. dark

San Francisco will have Saturday off from camp before resuming activities on Sunday, Aug. 5 from Santa Clara.