There was some concern surrounding the availability of San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett for the remainder of the season. He broke his thumb during a practice leading to the 49ers' Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. Garnett wore a cast during the game and was active but did not play a snap on offense. His only action came on special teams.
Garnett had surgery the next morning.
General manager John Lynch insists Garnett will be available for the 49ers' six remaining games or at least a portion of them.
"Josh should be ready," Lynch said on 95.7 The Game Tuesday morning. "It was the type of surgery where he can put some protection on there and he can go ahead and play. Josh has been working hard.
"Mike Person just stepped in and really has done a nice job. Our offensive line has been one of our strong points this year and in recent weeks has played really well. We've been running the football well all year. The last two weeks, (we) haven't given up a sack.
"It's tough to make a change there but Josh has done a really nice job. We're really pleased with his development. So much of his deal is just staying healthy. He's struggled with some knee issues in his first couple of years. Now he starts to get going. Got in at the end of a couple of games and then had this thumb issue. But the good news is he'll be available to us and we'll see if he gets those opportunities."
Garnett has played just 24 offensive snaps this season compared to the 614 that Mike Person has played. The majority of his limited snaps have come in run-blocking situations. Garnett did not play last season after landing on injured reserve with a knee injury on September 2, 2017.
"I know a lot of people probably think, 'Oh, they forgot about Josh.' But, hey, I still have a lot left in the tank," Garnett said Monday via the Mercury News. "I'm just hoping the coaches and people remember the stuff I was doing when I was playing in the preseason and what I do at practice."
Garnett's only action of the season on offense has come during Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings and Week 9 against the Oakland Raiders after starting 11 games as a rookie. His action against the Vikings came after starting right guard Mike Person left the game with an injury. Garnett eventually left the game with a dislocated toe.
After spending all of last season getting into better shape, Garnett served as Person's training camp competition for the right guard job before his campaign took a hit after another knee injury.
The 49ers made Garnett the No. 28 overall draft pick in 2016.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below.