At first, it looked like the 49ers were making the same mistake they made last training camp. In 2023, they gave the starting jobs to right guard Spencer Burford and right tackle Colton McKivitz without any real competition. During the first few days of camp, things seemed to be going in the same direction.
However, injuries have opened the door for some reserves to become starters, and with that the competition on the interior offensive line appears to be on.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner highlighted some of the changes on the offensive line in Saturday’s session;
Without Burford and Feliciano, it was rookie Dominick Puni who got the most time with the starting offense at right guard. The 49ers see the interior offensive line as having competition and if Puni can stay healthy, that should only help him get the reps needed to potentially earn a role sooner rather than later.
Burford is dealing with a broken hand that could keep him out for a few weeks. It’s unclear why Feliciano is out, but it appears he’ll be in the mix for the starting right guard job after finishing the season there last year.
The 49ers would likely prefer to see Puni, a rookie third-round pick, break through quickly enough to become the starting right guard. Coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear the club is running competitions at every position on the interior offensive line.
“They’re all fighting for those interior spots and at any point, especially when you’re losing guys, you don’t have Burford, Feliciano has missed a little time and (offensive lineman Jake) Brendel will have some time off,” Shanahan said after Saturday’s practice. “He’s not there every day. So guys have to be able to fill in. They have to be able to play center, they have to be able to play guard. They have to be able to do all three.”
While starting jobs may be available, backup spots will be up for grabs as well. San Francisco has a glut of offensive linemen and their depth was sorely lacking last year. They have a handful of starting options this season, and the best ones who don’t have them could become key backups. The game of musical chairs on the offensive line is worth keeping a close eye on during camp, particularly once they put on the shoulder pads.
