SF 49ers: 3 players who should see less field time after Bills loss
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Offensive Guard Tom Compton
What’s been a bit strange down the stretch is watching Kyle Shanahan implement a sort of “platoon” at right guard between the veteran, Tom Compton, and the fifth-round rookie draft pick, Colton McKivitz.
Granted, neither player has exactly provided much hope, and neither was supposed to be starting this season. But multiple injuries at center forced the SF 49ers to bump starting right guard Daniel Brunskill over, opening up the void in Brunskill’s stead.
Compton was pulled from the Week 13 start shortly after stepping on quarterback Nick Mullens‘ foot on a dropback play. Mullens somehow recovered in time to toss an incomplete pass instead of taking what would have been an ugly sack.
Shanahan later told reporters Compton was being evaluated for a concussion, yet the Niners would be wise to revert him back to a full-time reserve.
McKivitz, while no better than Compton in any sense, at least has the “developing rookie” mantra associated with him. It would be wise for San Francisco to see if its late-round draft addition is going to be worth continued development down the stretch. Not continuing to play Compton, who’ll likely walk in free agency this offseason.