3 players SF 49ers may regret cutting in 2020
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Cut No. 3: Offensive Lineman Hroniss Grasu
Under most circumstances, veteran interior offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu wouldn’t have stood a great chance to make the Niners’ 53-man roster.
The only problem, though, is the interior of San Francisco’s O-line is already being tested with injury concerns, first having lost veteran center Weston Richburg (knee) to an injury he suffered late last year and from which he hasn’t recovered yet. He’ll start the year on the physically unable-to-perform list and will miss the first six weeks.
Richburg’s primary backup, Ben Garland, also suffered an ankle injury in camp. Garland being named to the 53-man roster suggests he’ll be ready by Week 1. But if he’s not, it’s likely the versatile lineman, Daniel Brunskill, slides into the center spot while veteran backup Tom Compton takes over at right guard.
Neither Brunskill nor Compton performed well in these roles during training camp.
Yet the bigger question would be if Garland suffers any sort of setback or isn’t fully healthy in time for Week 1. Tack on the injury risk for either Brunskill or Compton, and one can see how injuries could compound.
Grasu might only be a practice-squad promotion, assuming no other team signs him off the practice squad.
But not having him available on game day for the interim early on during the regular season could set the stage for a serious O-line depth problem right out of the gate.