SF 49ers would make playoffs if these 5 players stayed healthy

No. 2: SF 49ers Center Weston Richburg

A year after suffering a season-ending patellar tendon tear in his knee in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, veteran center Weston Richburg has become something of a forgotten commodity for the Niners in 2020.

True, he was supposed to be back in time for training camp. But setbacks have ultimately led to him being out of the lineup all 14 weeks this season, and there’s no viable reason to force his return for the rest of the year.

And San Francisco’s offensive line hasn’t quite been the same since.

While there other key reasons behind the O-line’s regression, Richburg’s absence created a domino effect that hasn’t been favorable to Kyle Shanahan at all. It wouldn’t have been as bad if backup center Ben Garland stayed healthy, but Garland has missed the bulk of the year, too, with a calf injury. This forced a myriad of other less-desirable solutions, including Hroniss Grasu and right guard Daniel Brunskill moving over to center, leaving a massive void in his stead that hasn’t been adequately filled since.

If one can peg the SF 49ers O-line as the No. 1 pressing problem Shanahan’s offense has faced this year, it’s impossible not to look at Richburg’s absence as a key factor as to why this is the case.