The San Francisco 49ers have made two moves in free agency, but they're adding at least one more meeting to the mix. Matt Maiocco is reporting the team will hold a meeting with guard Amini Silatolu. This follows meetings the free agent has made with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.
Silatolu entered the NFL back in 2012 out of Midwestern State, drafted in the second round by the Carolina Panthers. The big issue with Silatolu, and the reason he was not extended is injuries have been a major problem. Over his four seasons in the NFL, he has appeared in 33 games, making 28 starts. After making 15 starts and appearances as a rookie, he has made 18 appearances and 13 starts in the ensuing three seasons.
He's right up Trent Baalke's alley though. He tore his left ACL last November, and tore his right ACL in 2013. According to Maiocco, he dealt with calf and knee injuries in 2014. All in all, not exactly ideal circumstances. It seems like there's a decent chance he could open training camp on the PUP list. Of course, that also means he comes at a discount.
The 49ers signed Zane Beadles to a three-year contract earlier this offseason. Silatolu and Beadles both have played their entire careers at left guard. Silatolu could very well be brought in primarily as a depth option, but with a chance to compete for one of the two starting guard positions.