Niner Noise
FanSided

5 bold predictions for the 49ers 53-man roster in 2019

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: Adrian Colbert #27 and Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers attempt to intercept a pass intended for Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: Adrian Colbert #27 and Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers attempt to intercept a pass intended for Brandin Cooks #12 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – JANUARY 8: Weston Richburg #70 of the New York Giants sits on the sideline in the third quarter during the NFC Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – JANUARY 8: Weston Richburg #70 of the New York Giants sits on the sideline in the third quarter during the NFC Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Weston Richburg Starts 2019 on Reserve/PUP List

One of the reasons San Francisco might be able to keep an extra wide receiver or two on the 53-man roster is due to injuries elsewhere.

And in this case, it’s not the best-case scenario.

The 49ers are still hoping veteran center Weston Richburg is available for Week 1 of the regular season. Currently, he’s on the physically unable-to-perform list and has yet to take part in any on-field activities after undergoing knee surgery during the offseason. In his place, the Niners have inserted perennial backup lineman Ben Garland at center, while also experimenting with right guard Mike Person in Richburg’s stead.

By rule, players who start a regular season on the reserve/PUP list don’t count against the 53-man roster but can’t be activated to the roster before Week 7.

So it might be good the 49ers have an early bye week this season, meaning Richburg’s predicted absence would only force him to miss five games.

San Francisco clearly wants Richburg back in the fray as soon as possible, given the lofty free-agent deal he signed back in 2018. But considering he hasn’t taken part in any of the team’s spring or summer practices and likely won’t be back and ready to go anytime soon, it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see him rested and prepared for a midseason insertion date.