It sounds like one of the San Francisco 49ers key training camp battles is back on as expected.
General manager John Lynch on Tuesday in a press conference told reporters offensive lineman Ben Bartch, who was placed on the Non-Football Injury list, isn’t expected to miss much time while he works through a quad injury he suffered during an offseason workout away from the team.
This is significant since Bartch is the likely frontrunner for the starting left guard job that was vacated by Aaron Banks when he left for the Green Bay Packers in free agency. We laid out how a major injury for Bartch would throw the 49ers’ battle for the starting LG job into flux since the club is likely relying on him to win that spot. Other options include former starting right guard Spencer Burford and 2022 sixth-round pick Nick Zakelj.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Tuesday confirmed there would be a battle involving Bartch and that duo.
“He is right there competing with guys. Him and Zakelj,” Shanahan said. “We all know Burford can do that. He’s done it before. We’re starting him out working to try to get that swing tackle spot. We also know he can hop right in at guard and play because he started there for us in our ‘23 season with (Jon) Feliciano. You know, we had Bartch and Zakelj competing through OTAs, but like I’ll say since 2018, probably ‘19, what is OTAs when it comes to O-Linemen and stuff. You know, we have to actually go out there and do more football. But he’s in the competition, he’s in the mix.”
Zakelj, Burford or some combination of the two will likely get the first-team reps while Bartch is on the sidelines, but once he returns from what appears to be a minor quad injury, Bartch should step back into the inside track for the starting LG job.
49ers veterans reported to camp Tuesday, and their first practice is scheduled for Thursday.
More 49ers: 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan denies breakout star requested trade
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers injury updates: Ben Bartch should be in for training camp battle