John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers
OT Anthony Davis took some first-team snaps at right guard today. He had been practicing exclusively at right tackle during the team's entire training camp. He spoke about it to the media today following the team's second joint-practice with the Denver Broncos.
"We want the best five on the field and Trent's (Brown, not Baalke – just in case) not going to play guard," said Davis. "He's a giant man."
So what did Davis do? He went to offensive line coach Pat Flaherty and volunteered to move to guard. That may have been a smart move considering Brown has been impressing enough at right tackle to vie for the starting job there. Davis said that he had told head coach Chip Kelly weeks ago that he was willing to move to guard. "It will help us so that's where I'm willing to go," said Davis.
Davis stated that he isn't worried about the transition from tackle to guard. "I'm pretty good at football," said a confident Davis. He played at guard during his freshman year at Rutgers, so he has some experience. Of course, that was 10 years ago.
"The Niners have been adamant about trying to find the best five for the starting line and though they caution not to read too much into it, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could get more work there,"
said Nick Wagoner of
ESPN.
Davis has been battling to regain his starting job at right tackle after returning from a year-long retirement.
Trent Brown, who is ahead of him, is bigger (6-8, 355) and a little younger (23 vs 26).
Davis had been criticized during his time off for delaying his return to the team and posting harsh comments directed at the organization and general manager Trent Baalke on social media. Since returning to the team for the start of training camp, his attitude and work ethic has been praised by teammates and the coaching staff.
The 49ers play their second preseason game on Saturday – a
matchup with the Broncos. They open up the regular season on Monday, September 12
against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium.
(h/t to Matt Barrows, Matt Maiocco, Cam Inman, Eric Branch, and Nick Wagoner for the quotes)
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The San Francisco 49ers Communications staff has released the first unofficial depth chart of the regular season as the team prepares to play the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, September 13.
The game will be televised on FOX with Kevin Kugler and Chris Spielman in the broadcast booth and Laura Okmin on the sidelines.
While team depth charts can be interesting, it is important to note that the coaching staff does not compile them, and you shouldn't read too much into them while trying to determine playing time for specific players.
Running back Raheem Mostert and wide receiver Deebo Samuel are all listed as starters on offense. Samuel's status for Week 1 remains unclear. The team remains hopeful that he will play despite being less
The NFL might look to move or postpone any games in locations where the air quality index (AQI) exceeds 200. The AQI in Santa Clara could be well over that mark this weekend due to the continuing wildfires in the area, which makes you wonder what might happen with the San Francisco 49ers' opener on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium.
IQAir.com forecasts Saturday's AQI at 274 and Sunday's at 217, which are both categorized as "very unhealthy."
Could the game be moved? Would it need to be postponed?
Jake Montero of KNBR on Friday
The NFL plans to move forward with the plans for its two California-based games during Week 1 — the Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at the San Francisco 49ers — according to Pro Football Talk.
There was some concern that the 49ers-Cardinals game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara would need to be postponed or moved due to wildfires creating poor air quality in the area. The same with the other game in Inglewood.
On Friday, the air quality index (AQI) for Sunday's game was
