SANTA CLARA – Offensive lineman Mike Person spent his entire rookie season on the 49ers’ 53-man roster but never appeared in a game.
One year later, when he was cut, he thought his career might be over.
“That was my first experience getting released and I didn’t know. Is this it?” Person said. “I didn’t know what was going to happen.
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“I’ve been able to stick it out eight years now. I’ve bounced around a little bit. But somehow, someway, I’ve found a way.”
From his beginnings as a seventh-round draft pick of the 49ers in 2011 and living with teammate Joe Staley for two weeks during the lockout that summer to participate in the Alex Smith-led workouts at San Jose State, Person persevered through every step along his journey.
After spending time in Indianapolis, Seattle, St. Louis, Atlanta, Kansas City and Indianapolis, again, he is back with the 49ers. Person had a strong training camp and is in line to open the season as the starter at right guard.
He is also back with Kyle Shanahan, who was offensive coordinator with the Falcons when Person started 14 games at center in 2015.
San Francisco 49ers
“I had a grasp of the playbook coming in,” Person said. “That was nice. I knew once San Francisco called, there was an opportunity I really wanted to pursue, because I loved playing for Kyle and this offense.”
Person was not considered to be competing for a starting job upon his arrival. But veteran Jonathan Cooper was slow to come around from a knee injury, and Joshua Garnett missed significant time in training camp with a knee condition of his own. Cooper was cut, and Garnett is behind Person in the race to start Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.
“I’m a better player now, both physically and mentally,” Person said.
Familiarity with Cousins ‘Overrated’
Shanahan knows Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins well from their days together in Washington in 2012 and ’13. But Shanahan said that means nothing now – especially with Cousins running a new scheme under first-year Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.
“I think all that stuff is overrated,” Shanahan said. “We don’t know what system Kirk is running. Kirk struggles when people aren’t open and there’s free hitters coming at him. That’s every single quarterback in the league. We got to cover well and get after him and disguise things pretty good. Because when he knows what he’s doing and where he’s going and people are open in rhythm, he’s as automatic as anyone.”
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Shanahan is involved with the entire team on a weekly basis but did not divulge whether this week was any different than other weeks.
“Kyle’s always involved every week,” Saleh said. “Kyle’s very, very good at trying to formulate a plan for the entire team, to understand what it’s going to take as a team to win.”
Practice Squad Shuffle
The 49ers signed defensive lineman Daeshon Hall to the team’s practice squad and released undrafted rookie defensive lineman Niles Scott. Hall (6-5, 265) was a third-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2017 NFL Draft. He saw action in the opener last season against the 49ers. He injured his knee in practice and spent the remainder of the season on injured reserve. The Panthers waived him on Sept. 1.
This ‘N’ That
Defensive lineman Ronald Blair left no doubt about his spot on the 49ers’ roster with his performance a week ago in the final preseason game. It’s uncertain what kind of role Blair will have on game days in the regular season, but he certainly has a supporter in Saleh. “I always mess with the staff. I always say, ‘If you like winning, then you like Ronnie,’” Saleh said. “He just always wins. He always finishes on the block. He does what he’s supposed to do. He’s got great versatility. We love Ronnie. We love his work ethic. He stands for everything we believe in. He gets the job done.” . . . Jeremiah Attaochu did not play in the final preseason game and ended up getting cut. “He did flash,” Saleh said. “It always comes back down to dependability and whether or not you can be available for game day.” Attaochu signed with the New York Jets after the 49ers released him. . . The 49ers won all three road games Jimmy Garoppolo started last season. Elvis Grbac (1995) holds the club record for quarterbacks with four consecutive road victories to begin his 49ers career. “It’s kind of a you-against-the-world environment that you’re in,” Garoppolo said. “I’ve never played there before, but I’ve heard good things about the stadium. So it’ll be a good, fun environment.”
This Sunday, be sure to watch 49ers Pregame Live at 9 a.m. and 49ers Postgame Live immediately after the game on NBC Sports Bay Area and live streaming on the NBC Sports app. Greg Papa, Donte Whitner, Jeff Garcia, Matt Maiocco and Laura Britt will have everything you need to know from the 49ers’ season opener.