Offensive Line
Center: Weston Richburg
Guards: Laken Tomlinson, Joshua Garnett
Tackles: Joe Staley, Mike McGlinchey
Earlier this offseason, the 49ers offensive line was an open guess as far as its formation.
Particularly the guard positions, where the Niners had a three-way bout ahead of training camp between Laken Tomlinson, Joshua Garnett and Jonathan Cooper. The Niners extended Tomlinson earlier this offseason, and he’s been the shoo-in starter on the left, leaving the right spot up for grabs.
The problem, however, is both Garnett and Cooper were dealing with knee issues for much of camp. This opened up the door for journeyman O-lineman Mike Person to see time with the first-team unit, but that probably won’t project over into the regular season.
Garnett (knee) managed to return to action sooner than Cooper (MCL), and the former Stanford product looked solid enough in his preseason debut versus the Colts. There’s still a chance Garnett loses out this competition to either Cooper or Person between now and Week 1. But Garnett’s efforts in Houston seemed to prove he’s the favorite at this point in the preseason.
The remainder of San Francisco’s O-line spots are all but set, barring injury.