INDIANAPOLIS — Strength along the offensive line isn't the sexiest topic, but it can be the difference as the 49ers look to rebound in 2019.
The 49ers hope that guard Mike Person, who started all 16 games in 2018, doesn't leave in free agency. But if that happens, both coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch still have hope that Joshua Garnett could be the guy to take on the role.
“I would love for Garnett to step it up,” Shanahan said. “He showed us some good things this year but he has just not been able to stay healthy long enough to become a consistent enough player of his ability.
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“That’s what I’m hoping for him. It’s nothing against him because when he was healthy for us, he really worked. He never took a day off. The problem is he couldn’t string enough days together to where he could really have consistent improvement.”
Lynch reiterated Shanahan’s thoughts that Garnett is very talented, but has had some bad luck with injuries. In three seasons, Garnett has only played in 22 games, and in some of those, very sporadically.
“We like Joshua Garnett,” Lynch said. “Joshua just has to show the ability to be out there all the time. It’s not for lack of trying. He’s an extremely talented player.”
The 49ers even took precautions to try to get him healthy, having the 2016 first-round pick sit out his entire second season to rebuild his body. Lynch says they still believe in his ability.
San Francisco 49ers
“I think that’s why we tried to do some long term thinking two years ago when we shut him down,” Lynch said. “Because it was a deal where we can rush him back, but he’s going to be limping all year.
“Instead we said let’s think long term with him because there could be a big reward at the end of the day if we do exhibit some patience there.”
That plan was derailed by Garnett dislocating his toe at the beginning of his third season.
“I’m just really hoping that he can come back and get in a full OTAs, a full training camp," Shanahan said. "With his ability and if he can get in the practice time, then he should have a good chance to help us.”
Person is a player that they’d like to have back on the offensive line but the team will weigh all of their options this offseason.
“Person is a free agent and we’d love to have him back,” Shanahan said. “But we have a lot of directions to go so hopefully we will get him back. I was really happy with what Mike did for us this year and we will see how this goes up to March 13th. It’d be awesome for him not to get there, but you know how I feel.”
“I became a big admirer of Mike Person,” Lynch said. “There’s a big thing for showing up in this league in terms of being dependable. You don’t fault guys, it’s hard, injuries happen. A guy like Jimmie Ward has the heart of a lion it’s just been unfortunate injuries. Mike Person battled through some stuff last year but he kept showing up so that earns respect.”
[RELATED: Jimmy G ahead of schedule in ACL rehab, Shanahan says]
When talking about Garnett, Lynch tried to dispel doubts about Garnett being a viable piece in Shanahan's offense.
"I think early on there was a thought, maybe he’s not a fit for what we do," Lynch said. "He is very much fit for what we do. Those are two good football players."