49ers position grades, analysis from sloppy Week 7 loss vs. Colts

49ers Offensive Line: C-

In fairness to the Niners offensive line, at least DeForest Buckner wasn’t a massive X-factor out there for vengeance against his former employer. For the most part, San Francisco’s up-front blockers did an adequate job limiting the interior pass rush.

Although quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was sacked twice, including a telling takedown at the final whistle when the game ended.

Early on, though, things seemed like a different story for this unit. At least in terms of the run game, where Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone rushing attack was working to perfection, getting rookie running back Elijah Mitchell 57 yards on the opening drive. When that translated into Garoppolo bootlegs and rollouts, the O-line’s punch was working well enough.

But like so many other elements of the 49ers’ game plan, the O-line began to fall apart as the game drew on. Most of those interior run efforts, notably against a good Colts run defense, weren’t generating anywhere near the needed push, and linemen were frequently struggling to get to the second level of blocking.

It was also pretty clear the Niners were missing left tackle Trent Williams, whose injury absence because of an ankle injury was sorely felt.

Even though fill-in rookie tackle Jaylon Moore performed better than most probably would have thought.