49ers: Projected Week 1 starting lineup halfway through 2018 preseason

Projected 49ers Week 1 starting lineup halfway through 2018 preseason

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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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Garrett Celek #88 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a catch against the Minnesota Vikings during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 14, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Tight End

Garrett Celek

This is more of a hunch and contingency plan than anything else, but veteran Garrett Celek opens up 2018 as the 49ers’ starter at tight end.

The main reason is the presumed starter, second-year pro George Kittle, is working his way back from a separated shoulder he suffered during Week 1 of the preseason against Dallas. All indications are he should be OK by the start of the regular season, however, which is great news for Kyle Shanahan and the Niners offense.

Still, Shanahan will likely want to limit the number of snaps Kittle sees right out of the gate. And considering how much strain pass and run blocking can put on the human shoulder, it makes sense why Celek, not Kittle, gets the start in Week 1.

Kittle remains San Francisco’s top offensive weapon out of the two, though.