The San Francisco 49ers are in the middle of training camp and are getting their annual reminder of just how much injuries stink. Thankfully, the offensive line hasn’t been too banged up by injury, but one of the biggest camp battles is at left guard.
It just so happens two ex-Niners remain available in free agency, and they'd be wise to entertain a reunion with both to ensure they have adequate depth going into the season.
Former left guard Laken Tomlinson played for San Francisco from 2017 to 2021. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021, and since then, he played for the New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Houston Texans.
He’s 34 years old, and SF Standard's David Lombardi reports Tomlinson is coming off a bone spur procedure he had taken care of in the offseason but is still intent on playing. It's questionable how effective the veteran will be since he played in just 10 games last season, but if he's healthy, he should still have some gas left in the tank.
Laken Tomlinson might be a wise pickup for 49ers
Right now, the Niners may end up having to rely on a young player like Connor Colby at left guard. That wouldn’t be a disaster, but they’d probably feel better with a veteran presence like Tomlinson who is familiar with San Francisco. Signing Tomlinson to a one-year deal would be a smart move to shore up the left side of the O-line.
He’s not the only former Niner who they could pick up, though.
The versatile Daniel Brunskill is still available
Daniel Brunskill is a free agent, and he played for the 49ers from 2019 to 2022, appearing all over the line as a guard, tackle, and even as a center. Last season, he played with the Miami Dolphins.
One 49ers online commentator recently ran into Brunskill in Tennessee and said the 31-year-old pro had interest in returning to the Niners. They might need him back if the Aaron Donald rumors come true, and the perennial All-Pro returns to the Los Angeles Rams because Brunskill was seemingly the only guy who could stop him.
But beyond that, Brunskill could serve as a valuable depth piece on the right side of the O-line, especially if Colton McKivitz were to go down.
The Niners are clearly already in a nostalgic, pro-reunion frame of mind, as both Dre Greenlaw and Deebo Samuel are back in the building, so why not bring back some old friends on the offensive line as well?
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