Although 49ers guard Joshua Garnett was originally given a one-month recovery period following knee surgery, that rehabilitation timeline has since been increased to six weeks, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). While it’s a subtle change, the increased timetable means Garnett is likely to miss regular season action.
With Garnett sidelined, San Francisco is likely to turn to veteran Brandon Fusco as its starting right guard opposite Zane Beadles. Fusco, a Viking from 2011-16, inked a one-year, $1.4MM contract with the 49ers this spring. The 29-year-old has started 64 games during his career, so he offers plenty of experience and should be a capable replacement while Garnett is out.
Garnett, the 28th overall selection in the 2016 draft, entered the 49ers’ starting lineup in October and went on to start 11 games during his rookie campaign. He played on 70% of San Francisco’s offensive snaps, but Pro Football Focus wasn’t a fan of his work, as the outlet graded Garnett as one of the NFL’s seven worst guards. The 49ers’ offensive line was a disaster as a unit last season, ranking dead last in adjusted line yards and 30th in adjusted sack rate, per Football Outsiders.
San Francisco’s offensive line has seen plenty of upheaval, as the club released veteran center Jeremy Zuttah on Wednesday. Zuttah, acquired from the Ravens during the offseason, had been expected to play a reserve role along the interior.