Right tackle Mike McGlinchey missed four games with a left knee injury before returning for the San Francisco 49ers' Week 10 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. It could be argued that McGlinchey struggled a bit upon returning, but over the last two games, he has seemingly returned to form.
McGlinchey may even be playing his best football right now.
Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, a 20-17 loss, earned McGlinchey his highest overall Pro Football Focus grade (88.9) and run-blocking grade (88.4) throughout his NFL career. That followed a Week 12 performance that earned him what was, at the time, his second-highest overall grade of the season (75.7).
"I thought Mike had his best game of the year versus Green Bay," Shanahan told reporters via a conference call on Monday. "And then I think he followed that up with his new best game of the year, yesterday.
"I know Mike has been battling through some injuries to get back. I know when he did get back, it still takes some time to get back to your old self, but I saw that last week, definitely, and I think he only got better this week."
The 49ers made McGlinchey the No. 9 overall draft pick last year after a college career at Notre Dame. He started all 16 games during his rookie season and has eight starts this year.