In an ideal world, the San Francisco 49ers wouldn't be suffering so many injuries during training camp.
But, for players who are buried on the depth chart and/or hanging onto the very fringes of the 90-man offseason roster, injuries can be a vital lifeline to sticking around a little while longer.
There are a few of these cases already, particularly at running back and wide receiver. Yet the defensive line, too, is starting to feel the attrition, especially after veteran defensive tackle Kevin Givens suffered a pectoral injury in practice ahead of the Niners' exhibition opener against the Denver Broncos on Saturday.
According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, Givens is expected to miss several months with the injury that'll keep him out well into the regular season.
Kyle Shanahan said DT Kevin Givens injured a pec and will miss a chunk of the season. He said:
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 4, 2025
FB Kyle Juszczyk (cut on his Achilles) is day to day
DE Sam Okuayinonu (groin) will miss a couple of weeks
RB Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) will miss a couple of weeks
Givens might have been on the roster bubble, true. But, considering how defensive coordinator Robert Saleh got the most out of him back in 2020 during his previous tenure as coordinator, it'd make sense for Givens to carve out a niche role in 2025.
Instead, Saleh likely has to turn to someone else, and this second-year pro seems poised to benefit the most.
Kevin Givens' injury directly benefits Evan Anderson
Defensive tackle Evan Anderson, the undrafted free agent from 2024 who managed 24 tackles, two of which were for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble over 12 games his rookie season, nevertheless needed to show some serious improvement amid San Francisco's sweeping changes to its defensive line.
Dealing with a knee bruise in camp isn't ideal, but Anderson has at least a better shot of returning to the field soon and claiming a primary interior backup role, particularly with Givens out for the foreseeable future.
It'll be tough, yes, especially with other fringe defenders like Kalia Davis, Sebastian Valdez and 2025 rookie C.J. West vying for top billing on the depth chart.
But, with one less body in the way to claim a roster spot, and assuming the 49ers don't sign a prominent interior defender in the interim, Anderson's odds to land on the opening 53-man group just increased significantly.
And it should stay that way, provided Anderson takes full advantage of it.