Shon Coleman injury puts more pressure on 49ers Justin Skule

The San Francisco 49ers fear they’ve lost swing tackle Shon Coleman to a season-ending leg injury, meaning rookie Justin Skule will have a lot of pressure on him in 2019.

Injuries have quickly become a theme again for the San Francisco 49ers, particularly after the team’s 17-9 preseason win over the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night.

For the most part, many of the injuries aren’t overly serious. But one in particular, to 2019 swing tackle candidate Shon Coleman, could carry some serious implications.

Coleman, for whom the Niners traded last year, didn’t see field time in 2018. Yet he was in prime position to secure this backup job behind starting tackles Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey this season. Coleman’s only real competition was the rookie, Justin Skule.

The 27 year old underwent surgery after the game to repair a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch. And according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, the injury is expected to be season ending:

It’s a bad break for Coleman, who appeared to be the favorite to win the starting swing tackle role this season. And it likely means Skule will be the primary beneficiary.

Skule, San Francisco’s sixth-round NFL Draft choice out of Vanderbilt, was one of only a handful of low-key moves to reinforce the offensive line’s depth during the offseason. Many of his scouting reports pointed out how Skule looked relatively clunky and unorthodox. But going up against some premier collegiate pass-rushers within the SEC, Skule somehow managed to hold his own on a regular basis.

That might be the kind of effort the 49ers will need from Skule this point onward, and there’s little questioning he’s presented with a great opportunity.

But just because the door is now open for Skule to secure the swing tackle job, he still has a long way to go before being named to this critical spot.

Skule was hit with a holding penalty Saturday, which isn’t uncommon for first-year linemen in the preseason. Yet it’s something many linemen need to overcome early in their pro careers to secure key roles. Especially as they’re learning to cope with bigger, better competition.

San Francisco could also go out on the open market and look to add someone to compete with Skule. Garry Gilliam, who spent the last two years with the Niners, remains a free agent. There are other options, too. One of those is former Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Sam Young, whom the 49ers are bringing aboard, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

It wouldn’t be shocking at all to see the 49ers add another tackle, even just to get the numbers right for the remainder of the preseason.

But with Coleman out for the foreseeable future, Skule now has to ensure he’s worthy of not just a roster spot, but a crucial role the Niners hope they’ll never have to use in 2019.