The San Francisco 49ers welcomed back offensive guard Jonathan Cooper on Tuesday, activating him off the Physically Unable to Perform List. He only worked in individual drills, sitting out team drills as he continues working back into football shape.
On Tuesday, Mike Person and Erik Magnuson split first team right guard duties. Joshua Garnett had been splitting work with Person, but he banged knees with another player over the weekend, and is letting the knee recover. Garnett received an anti-inflammatory shot in his knee, according to Mike Garafolo. Garnett had a clean MRI, and the team is, “hopeful he’s back in the coming days.”
Person and Magnuson seem to be competing for one or two utility reserve roles, but getting first team work is a big boost for them. They are unlikely to claim a starting job, but if they can slot in well with the starting line, it looks good for their chances at the reserve roles.
Laken Tomlinson appears to have the left guard job locked down, but the right guard position remains a question mark. Cooper has the guaranteed money that would suggest the team wants him to win the job, but we don’t know exactly how much that will matter. Getting back this week instead of after the team’s first preseason game is huge for him, and Garnett’s absence these next couple days will be something to track.