Niner Noise
FanSided

Projected 49ers Week 1 starting lineup halfway through 2018 preseason

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 hands off to Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 hands off to Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Offensive guard Joshua Garnett #65 (center) of the San Francisco 49ers lines up during the second half of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Offensive guard Joshua Garnett #65 (center) of the San Francisco 49ers lines up during the second half of the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

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.