49ers roster bubble-watch breakdown after 2019 minicamp

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a field goal against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

Lock: K Robbie Gould, P Mitch Wishnowsky, LS Colin Holba

Strong Bubble: K Jonathan Brown

Weak Bubble: None

Long Shot: None

It shouldn’t come as a big surprise veteran kicker Robbie Gould still hasn’t signed his franchise tender after getting hit with the tag earlier this offseason.

Gould skipped out on both OTAs and mandatory minicamp. And while the 49ers aren’t planning to honor his previous trade request, the longer the veteran’s absence continues, the more doubt surrounds a position where there shouldn’t be any controversy.

“I really hope he shows up by the time we play Week 1,” head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters during minicamp.

As a reserve option, the Niners have backup kicker Jonathan Brown hanging around, and he gets bumped to the stronger side of the bubble, given the current uncertainty surrounding Gould. If Gould’s holdout lasts, Brown will likely be the guy at the start of the regular season.

Of note, long-snapper Colin Holba’s job looks safe with his predecessor, Kyle Nelson, still on the suspended list for a 2018 PED violation.