SANTA CLARA — Heading into his third NFL season with the 49ers, Dominick Puni is set to take his game to the next level. Puni was thrust into a starting role as a rookie in 2024 and saw success, but a PCL injury suffered during the 2025 preseason stunted his growth in his sophomore season. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster spoke to local Bay Area media on Tuesday and shared his thoughts on the right guard’s two years with the team.
“I think what happened is that he was developing well, and then he hit a lull because of the knee,” Foerster Tuesday. “He fought through it and played through it, which was awesome, but the problem is he didn’t maybe practice quite the way he could have. Stuff just wasn’t as good.”
Puni has started every game since being drafted by the 49ers in the third round (No. 86) of the 2024 NFL Draft. Like many players, there has been an acclimation to life in the NFL. After attending the NFL Scouting Combine, traveling for pre-draft visits to teams and his Pro Day, learning Kyle Shanahan’s system was a lot to take in.
“Dom’s rookie year, Dom flew by...