Ben

Garland

The 49ers’ starting pivot will spend at least the next three weeks on injured reserve. Journeyman Hroniss Grasu is the next man up. From the line to the backfield, the 49ers’ rushing attack is dealing with a ton of injuries at the moment.

The Niners added OL Ben Garland on a one-year, $805,000 contract this offseason as insurance in case Richburg isn’t cleared. Lynch also said he’s confident Dan Brunskill can play all five spots on the offensive line if need be. Richburg was PFF’s No. 11 pass-blocking center among 31 qualifiers at the time of his injury last year, so it remains crucial he’s healthy for the regular season despite any perceived backup plans. He’ll be 29 in June.

Garland arguably earned his return with the Niners, starting the final six games for the organization (including all three postseason contests) in place of injured Weston Richburg. Worst-case scenario for bringing the 31-year-old back is San Francisco simply having quality interior depth throughout the season.

Now 31, Garland has made just seven career starts, though all seven of them have come in the past two years. The 49ers do not have a great guard situation, but Garland remains a pure backup.

The soon-to-be 31-year-old started four games at right guard last season but has mostly been a backup throughout his career. He made over $2 million as a restricted free agent in 2018. Atlanta likely doesn’t want to spend that again.

Garland was a three-year starter at defensive tackle at Air Force and then signed in Denver as an undrafted free agent after the 2010 draft. He spent two years fulfilling his military duties before sitting on the 2012 practice squad. The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder will try to crack the roster at guard this season.

The writing was on the wall when the Broncos recently moved Garland back to defense following a failed conversion to guard. Garland, 25, spent 2012 on the practice squad after fulfilling his Air Force commitments 2010-2011.

Wes Schweitzer and Hugh Thornton are also candidates to replace Chris Chester. Garland is the in-house favorite after a strong showing in 101 snaps last year. The Falcons haven’t ruled out adding a guard in the draft.

Garland is battling Shelley Smith, who signed a two-year, $5.65 million deal in March. That money would suggest Smith is the heavy favorite, but he bombed for the Dolphins last season. An ex-defensive lineman, Garland has only 47 snaps of experience, but is a fit for new coach Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme.

The more logical solution is moving RT Orlando Franklin to left guard and letting Chris Clark play right tackle. Garland, however, has been on the practice squad the past two seasons, so the team obviously is high on him. The former college defensive tackle will have a “chance to compete” for the job, per GM John Elway.