Right guards return from Minnesota with wounds
SANTA CLARA >> Joshua Garnett has a dislocated toe and Mike Person is recovering from a foot strain, putting the availability of both right guards for the 49ers’ home opener this Sunday against the Detroit Lions in doubt.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday he did not know how long Garnett or Person will be out, but added that neither player has anything broken or will need to be put on injured reserve. Both Person and Garnett were injured during the 49ers’ 24-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
“But we’ve got to see how they respond to treatment during the week to kind of have an idea of whether they have a chance this week,” Shanahan said, “and going forward, whether it will be week-to-week after that. Need a few more days to kind of understand that.”
Shanahan also said that receiver Marquise Goodwin suffered a deep thigh bruise and is day-to-day, and that linebacker Brock Coyle remains in concussion protocol.
Shanahan said if Person can’t go, Erik Magnuson and Matt Tobin are possibilities to back up at center, although Magnuson (hamstring) is more of an outside chance. Magnuson, inactive against the Vikings with the injury he suffered in preseason, is a possibility to take part in individual drills Wednesday.
“Garnett’s still not ruled out, Person still could go. So we’ve got a lot of options and we’ll be fluid with that stuff throughout the week,” Shanahan said. “We’re going to try a number of guys just in case the worst case scenarios happen.”
As a stop-gap for the offensive line, rookie Mike McGlinchey was moved from tackle to guard and veteran Garry Gilliam was inserted at right tackle. Gilliam missed most of the last month in concussion protocol.
“I was so impressed with McGlinchey,” Shanahan said. “It’s his first NFL game, he’s never played guard and you can see there was nothing about him that was scared to go try it. He knew he had to do it and he didn’t flinch at all. He went in there and competed, did the best he could and did a pretty good job.”
• Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers’ offense turned only one of four opportunities inside the Vikings’ 20-yard line into a touchdown. Garoppolo can hardly be faulted for Alfred Morris’ second quarter fumble on the 1-yard line, but the overthrow to George Kittle midway through the fourth quarter on 3rd-and-goal at the Vikings 4-yard line was particularly painful.
Red zone efficiency was an issue for Garoppolo when he took over as San Francisco’s starter late last season, and it continued to be an issue in the preseason.
“I know there were a couple throws that Jimmy would like to have back, which I know he’d be the first to tell you,” Shanahan said. “It’s hard to get space and when you do get a little bit and you miss those opportunities, that’s going to be the result.”
• With Goodwin out after he was injured early in the second quarter, returning only briefly in the third quarter, rookie Dante Pettis had to play some at the ‘X’ receiver position on the far outside. Pettis was targeted five times and finished with two receptions for 61 yards, including a dazzling 22yard touchdown reception with 31 seconds to go in the third quarter.
“I thought he did a good
job. Made some big plays,” Shanahan said. “Beat man coverage really well (on his 39-yard reception). A lot was thrown on his plate once Marquise got hurt. He wasn’t perfect. Had some mistakes, which does hurt and you have to overcome them.
“But it was good that it was his first game. He saw all of the things that can happen. I think that’ll make him that much better next week and that much more prepared next week.
• Reuben Foster still has to serve one more game to complete his suspension for violations of the NFL’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies. When he does return for the 49ers’ week 3 game against Kansas City, Shanahan was
asked if Fred Warner would remain a starter.
“The way he played yesterday, it’d be hard to get that guy off of the field,” Shanahan said. “He did a hell of a job yesterday in his first game. But, that was yesterday. We’ll see how he does this week.”
• Shanahan said he has not added a 53rd player to the roster, a spot that became available with Dekoda Watson going on IR. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that San Francisco worked out linebackers Erik Walden and Hau’oli Kikaha on Monday, and Shanahan said other players will be brought in Tuesday.
“I’m sure we will add someone before Wednesday, before we practice again,” Shanahan said.