SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Quarterback Colin Kaepernick might not be the only new addition to the San Francisco 49ers' starting offense this week.
Rookie first-round pick Joshua Garnett looks like he also could be in line to make his first start of the season on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Garnett played 18 snaps in the closing minutes of last week's loss to the Arizona Cardinals and got mostly positive reviews from coach Chip Kelly.
After that game, Kelly indicated he would take a look at as many ways to improve the offense as possible, not just at the quarterback position. That could potentially include Garnett stepping in for Andrew Tiller at right guard.
Garnett said Wednesday that he has been splitting reps with Tiller with the first-team in practice but wasn't sure if he'd get to start against the Bills. Offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins likewise played it coy when asked whether Garnett would start this week.
"I don't know," Modkins said. "We got him a couple plays in the game because of the way the game fell out. Hopefully we're able to continue that, but no decision has been made about him being a starter, no."
But there are signs pointing to Garnett getting the call. The Niners worked Garnett at right guard early in training camp before flipping him to the left side when it appeared Anthony Davis was ready to move to right guard. Now that Davis has retired again, Garnett has been back on the right side. With veteran Zane Beadles seemingly entrenched on the left side but also serving as the swing tackle should something happen to Joe Staley or Trent Brown, Garnett now has the versatility to play either side.
When Davis seemed set to take one of the starting guard jobs, it was Tiller's spot that he had honed in on. Now it seems Garnett is close to doing the same.
"Well, I think part of developing an offensive line is you have to have some multiplicity with guys being able to play different positions," Modkins said. "When you're trying to get to know a player, get to know a team, get to know a unit, especially offensive line, I think it helps to get guys experience at a different position so we know what we have. Josh has done a good job and we look forward to him continuing to develop."
That Garnett hasn't started to this point is due in part to the Niners' confidence in Tiller and Beadles but also because it's taken Garnett a little longer to get caught up because he missed some of spring practice and workouts while Stanford finished its school year. Garnett said his primary focus has been working on his pass sets.
"I think coming out of Stanford everyone kind of knew I was a big, powerful run blocker, that's kind of been my bread and butter," Garnett said. "The pass pro is something I have really been putting a lot of time and effort into. That doesn't mean straying away from the run blocking, I'm always trying to get better at that too, trying to be a complete player."
Garnett, who is used to being in the starting lineup and playing a lot, said he's managed to stay focused during the week and in games because of something the Niners call "player evals." In what amounts to homework for the team's younger players, Garnett said he is asked to study opposing defensive linemen every week and come back with a report on their strengths and weaknesses.
It helps the veterans prepare but also keeps Garnett involved with what's going on so if he has to enter the game, he can apply it.
"Each week I feel like I'm preparing like a starter and a guy who has to play so when it is my time to go in like last week, I'm over on the sidelines and staying loose and always ready just in case anything happens," Garnett said.
Perhaps this week, nothing will need to happen for Garnett to get an opportunity to play.
"Well, he's worked hard," Modkins said. "He's gotten better in practice. He's learning what we do. Obviously he's a talented player. He's like any other young player on our team, they all need to continue working and continue to improve. But I think Josh is on the right track."
