San Francisco 49ers: 5 Questions for Preseason Week 2

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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 01: Joshua Garnett #65 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after Shaun Draughn #24 of the San Francisco 49ers ran in for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Will the right guard battle get going?

Joshua Garnett received some 11-on11 work at practice on Sunday, but is way behind the 8-ball in terms of reps because of a knee injury. The former first-round pick was supposed to be competing with Jonathan Cooper for the starting right guard spot, but their respective fitness issues have handed Mike Person the initiative.

Person, well-versed in the Kyle Shanahan system from his days in Atlanta, was a stalwart up front in the first week of the preseason against the Cowboys. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco wrote recently that Person has emerged as the “leader” in the competition. Is there any chance of Garnett or Cooper, who is also being eased back, displacing him? This week will go a long way to answering that question.

Will the run blocking improve?

Shanahan made no secret of his frustration at the lack of a run game against Dallas.

Jerick McKinnon had negative-four yards on three carries as Cowboys defenders swarmed him in the backfield, while Joe Williams also found space hard to come by.

Raheem Mostert was able to get to the edge and finished with eight carries for 57 yards. However, he, Williams and Jeremy McNichols now have company in the battle for the third running back spot, with Alfred Morris set to sign for the 49ers.

That quartet will get all the carries with McKinnon and Breida on the shelf for the preseason, but they will find it hard to make an impression if the guys up front can not open better holes in what will be a crucial few days for this group.