Niner Noise
FanSided

5 49ers with the most to gain in preseason Week 1 vs. Cowboys

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Tarvarus McFadden #33 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers one the game 24-21. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Tarvarus McFadden #33 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers one the game 24-21. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/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: Offensive Lineman Ben Garland

Injuries are already playing a major role in helping the 49ers determine the back end of their regular-season depth chart.

In one such case, veteran center Weston Richburg‘s elongated recovery from offseason knee surgery is a bonus to perennial backup offensive lineman, Ben Garland, who took first-team reps during organized team activities (OTAs) and has continued with both first- and second-string units into training camp.

Garland, 31 years old, isn’t a long-term option or anything like that. He’s a fill-in, a stopgap option for San Francisco’s O-line depth this year. Maybe next, too, if Kyle Shanahan deems fit.

If there is a bonus, though, Garland played under Shanahan when both were with the Atlanta Falcons back in 2016, although Garland never started a game that year.

Still, the fact Shanahan is giving Garland extra looks during training camp in the wake of Richburg’s recovery bodes well for the former’s roster chances.

Garland will want to prove to Shanahan and his staff he’s worthy of a fill-in starter role in 2019. Performing well against Dallas could all but solidify Garland a roster spot to kick off the regular season.