49ers training camp: How these 5 fringe players make 53-man roster

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Tackle Tom Compton #68 of Washington (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 1: 49ers need Tom Compton for numbers reasons alone

Like the situation at wide receiver in training camp, San Francisco has already seen its offensive line take some injury hits. Last year’s knee injury suffered by center Weston Richburg has already shaken up the depth chart. Richburg is expected to start 2020 on the physically unable-to-perform list, meaning he won’t be available for at least the first six weeks.

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Richburg’s primary backup, Ben Garland, has also been banged up with injuries in training camp and could be doubtful for Week 1.

The 49ers have experimented with other players along the line, including moving presumed starting right guard Daniel Brunskill to center. Other names have been brought in, too, which would have initially cast doubts whether or not one of the team’s earlier free-agent signings, veteran guard Tom Compton, would make the 53-man roster.

Compton, unfortunately, has not looked overly impressive in camp. He’s been beaten regularly by reserve pass-rushers in both one-on-one and full-team drills, not exactly providing a ringing endorsement for his immediate future in San Francisco.

But the Niners may have no other choice but to keep Compton around, possibly even giving him the starting job at right guard and putting Brunskill in at center if Garland isn’t ready in time for the regular season.

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It’s not an ideal way to make the roster, of course. But for both Compton and the 49ers, all those injuries have warranted the situation to play itself out as such.