It took longer than the San Francisco 49ers might have liked, but it appears rookie offensive lineman Carver Willis has officially entered the battle for the starting left guard spot.
Willis got reps with the first team during Saturday's practice, and was once again with the top group Sunday as the team searches for answers at the fifth and final spot on its starting offensive line.
Offensive line coach Chris Foerster noted earlier in camp that Willis was supposed to be rotated in until he suffered a concussion that cost him valuable practice time. Fortunately for Willis, there hasn't been a breakout star in the LG competition so the window for him to get into the race stayed open.
Veteran Robert Jones quickly took over at left guard with the first team after second-year OL Connor Colby started camp there. Jones hasn't done enough to cement himself as the starter which left the 49ers looking for other options.
While Willis wasn't among the frontrunners to start camp, it isn't outrageous to consider that the rookie fifth-round pick could come out on top. Despite playing offensive tackle during his college career his measurables had draft analysts projecting him to play guard or center in the NFL. Willis told reporters after he was selected by the 49ers on Day 3 of this year's draft that every team he spoke with before the draft talked to him about playing along the interior.
Willis was also very good in the team's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. Pro Football Focus gave him the best grade among 49ers offensive players who played at least 10 snaps. He didn't start Thursday's game, but he did play 33 snaps. That showing certainly played a role in his elevation to the first-team offense in the ensuing practices.
Ideally one of Colby or Jones would have performed well enough to rule out any real competition from a rookie making a position change. Alas, they'll enter the second week of the preseason with no answers at that spot and no real frontrunner. Willis wasn't in the mix as of the team's first preseason game, but leading up to their joint practice and preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers the rookie will have a chance to take a firm grip on a starting job.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Rookie finally enters competition for 49ers final starting O-line spot