SF 49ers: 5 practice squad players who may have roster spots by Week 4

No. 5: SF 49ers Offensive Lineman Hroniss Grasu

One of the offseason rule changes that would have gone into effect anyway outside the pandemic was the ability for teams to promote two players each week to a “55-man” roster, provided one of those players was an offensive lineman.

In the Niners’ case, they might need this right away.

San Francisco will be without veteran center Weston Richburg (knee) for the first six weeks of the season. His primary backup, Ben Garland, made the 53-man roster and avoided landing on an injury list after suffering an ankle injury during training camp. But that doesn’t mean he’ll be fully available in time for Week 1.

In the interim, the SF 49ers are likely to start presumed right guard Daniel Brunskill at center, moving backup lineman Tom Compton into Brunskill’s stead in the starting lineup.

Yet if Garland is unavailable in Week 1 and relegated to the inactive list, the Niners will need at least one competent backup at center to guard against a would-be injury to Brunskill.

During camp, San Francisco inked veteran lineman Hroniss Grasu once Garland went down with his injury. Grasu primarily worked with the second- and third-team units, and one figures Kyle Shanahan won’t hesitate to promote Grasu to the 53-man roster right away to guard against any further injury attrition.

Simply put, the 49ers’ depth issues along the interior of their offensive line mandate this move right out of the gate.