Left guard Zane Beadles struggled against the Panthers as he did throughout training camp. Quarterback Brian Hoyer's game-changing fumble turned turnover was because of failed protection by Beadles.
On August 31, the 49ers acquired guard Laken Tomlinson via a trade with the Detroit Lions. Tomlinson, who has been working hard to learn the 49ers' playbook, might have a shot at starting in place of the ineffective Beadles on Sunday.
"The scheme is a lot to learn," Tomlinson recently told NBC Sports Bay Area, "but I can handle it. I'm going out there and trying my best to exhibit that on the practice field."
On Friday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed the addition of Tomlinson while speaking to the media.
"Laken is a guy that I know, athletically, is capable of doing some of the things that we're asking him to do," Shanahan said. "But that's just a starting point. You've got to get a lot of reps. You've got to get good at it. We definitely thought he, out of the options we had, he gave us the best chance to improve our team."
Shanahan also shares how his newest offensive lineman has progressed in practice this week.
"He's done better like you'd expect," Shanahan said. "Last week was his first week and he's attacked it very hard. He's a very smart person. I think he graduated from Duke as a doctor – however you say that the right way – which I know I couldn't do. So he's definitely a smart person. He can understand it all intellectually. That's just where it starts.
"You've got to get through the reps and you've got to go over and over and over it again. A lot more reps this week than last week so he's definitely further along this week than last week but I hope each day he's here, he continues to get better."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
How 49ers WR Jordan Watkins responded to Kyle Shanahan's challenge
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins hauled in four catches for a game-high 64 receiving yards on eight targets in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. In addition to his involvement in the passing attack, Watkins was more active in the... -
Why 49ers' Kyle Shanahan refused to name players who stood out vs. Raiders
A few San Francisco 49ers players made positive impressions on head coach Kyle Shanahan during Thursday night's preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders. However, Shanahan opted to remain tight-lipped about his personnel evaluations, giving reporters little insight into his... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan shifts focus to regular season: "It's going to get real, real fast"
The 2026 NFL preseason is in the books, and the San Francisco 49ers finished their exhibition schedule with an 18-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, the focus shifts to the regular season, with San Francisco set to face the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, in Week... -
49ers injury news: Kyle Shanahan provides 3 key updates after win over Raiders
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters after Thursday night's 18-12 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, providing three key injury updates from the game. Rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock, a fourth-round pick in the 2026...