S.F. acquires guard Tomlinson
Two years after 49ers executive Martin Mayhew drafted guard Laken Tomlinson in the first round when he was the Lions’ general manager, his new team acquired the player to address its interior offensive-line issues.
On Thursday, the 49ers traded for Tomlinson, the No. 28 pick in 2015 who lost his starting job last year. The 49ers dealt a 2019 fifth-round pick, the NFL Network reported.
The 49ers made the move with guard Joshua Garnett recovering from knee surgery that, head coach Kyle Shanahan said, could put him on seaason-ending injured reserve. Shanahan said the team will discuss options Friday.
The 49ers hope Tomlinson can assist a rushing attack that stalled during the preseason. Carlos Hyde has 45 yards on 17 carries (2.6-yard average) and Shanahan has routinely said Hyde hasn’t had many “good looks” this summer.
Tomlinson, who has 24 career starts, was likely acquired to supplant left guard Zane Beadles, who was inserted into the starting lineup after Garnett was sidelined. Right guard Brandon Fusco has been a starter throughout the offseason.
Last season, Tomlinson lost his starting job at left guard to Graham Glasgow, a 2016 third-round pick, after five weeks, but he still started 10 games because of injuries to other offensive linemen. After right guard Larry Warford signed with the Saints in the offseason, the Lions signed Packers guard T.J. Lang to replace him instead of moving Tomlinson to the position he played at Duke.
The 49ers are now poised to have three No. 28 picks starting on their offensive line later in the season: left tackle Joe Staley (2007), Tomlinson and Garnett (2016).
Anthem watch: Safety Eric Reid kneeled during the national anthem for the second straight week and was, again, surrounded by a group of teammates. The group included running back Tim Hightower, outside linebacker Eli Harold, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, linebackers Reuben Foster and Shayne Skov and cornerbacks Dontae Johnson and Rashard Robinson.
Captains: Hightower, tight end Blake Bell and safety Vinnie Sunersi, all of whom are on the roster bubble, served as team captains.