Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 4 players who benefit early from training camp injuries

By Robert Morrison

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Cornerback Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches for a loose ball during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Cornerback Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches for a loose ball during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 7: Ben Garland #63 of the Atlanta Falcons blocks against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 7: Ben Garland #63 of the Atlanta Falcons blocks against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 4: OL Ben Garland

The 49ers signed offensive lineman Ben Garland this offseason on a one-year deal to compete with incumbent offensive guards Laken Tomlinson and Mike Person. But Garland, who was with Shanahan when the Niners coach was offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons, offers the 49ers a great deal of versatility.

Garland, who featured as the first-team center during OTAs, has played mostly as a guard in his career, but can prove to be a swing interior solution should the 49ers need him to do so.

With Richburg out early during training camp, it seems likely Garland will get that opportunity again.

This is important because, with all the competition at other positions across the 49ers roster — especially at wide receiver, running back and along the defensive line — it would be helpful if the team could use two offensive lineman who can fill in at any of the five slots (Garland plus a swing tackle).

While the team is still likely to carry eight offensive lineman, Garland’s ability to play three positions could give him a leg up on other, less-versatile options like Joshua Garnett.

It will be up to Garland, then, to show himself capable of handling duties at center and either guard slot, as it’s his likeliest path to the 53-man roster.