The San Francisco 49ers entered training camp with the right guard position as the only remaining starting offensive line spot up for grabs. The top three contenders for the starting job were Spencer Burford, Jon Feliciano, and Dominick Puni. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued the competition.
Spencer Burford fractured his right hand in their first week of training camp but opted against surgery. As a result, Burford has missed over three weeks of practice. He returned to practice this week and participated in individual drills on Tuesday.
The San Francisco 49ers veteran offensive lineman is dealing with a knee injury
Jon Feliciano has been dealing with knee soreness/irritation for quite a while. He has missed at least the last week and a half of practice, including their first and second preseason game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan initially described his injury as week-to-week. However, he could be out for a while.
Jon Feliciano could start the season on IR
Feliciano underwent surgery, hoping to fix his knee, and could be out for a long time. Kyle Shanahan expects him to start the 2024 season on injured reserve. He hopes to have Feliciano back in the middle of the season.
“He ended up having to get some type of—I don’t know exactly the surgery he got—but he got something done,” Shanahan said. “He’ll end up probably starting on IR, and hope to have him back towards the middle of the year.”
Since the NFL changed their rules regarding injured reserve, teams can place up to two players on injured reserve at the roster cutdown deadline and still be eligible to return. Previous rules required teams to place these players on injured reserve a day after roster cuts have been made, or they would miss the entire season if placed earlier. Here’s a better explanation.
“By Competition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16(C), to permit each club to place a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List on the business day of the final roster reduction to be designated for return. Such players will immediately count as two of the club’s total designations.”
UPDATE: The 49ers placed Jon Feliciano on injured reserve on Wednesday. He will miss at least the first four games.
Who will start at right guard?
Due to the injuries to Spencer Burford and Jon Feliciano, Dominick Puni is the favorite to start at right guard in Week 1. The rookie third-rounder has received extended playing time with the starting offense throughout camp and has started their first two preseason games. If he continues to perform the way he’s been practicing, he could become an above-average starter in Year 1.
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