Golden Gate Sports
Fansided

San Francisco 49ers: Position Battles Highlight Preseason Opener

By Marc Grandi

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next

 Nose Tackle

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman

Quinton Dial

(90) prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama won 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco will be without all-pro inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman for at least the first half of the season. They will miss outside linebacker Aldon Smith for any number of games (probably somewhere between four and eight games) due to an impending suspension. As if that wasn’t enough, nose tackle Glenn Dorsey tore his bicep and likely will miss the entire season.

The 49ers do have a few options to replace Dorsey at nose tackle, though. The first choice is Quinton Dial — who won a BCS National Championship with Alabama in 2013.

Dial was selected in that summer’s draft but struggled to find consistent playing time because of an injury suffered while at Alabama.

Live Feed

Three ex-Arizona Cardinals who are struggling in 2023
Three ex-Arizona Cardinals who are struggling in 2023 /

Raising Zona

  • Today Only: Bet $10 on Hall of Fame Game, Win $250 at DraftKings and FanDuel! FanSided
  • 3 biggest quarterback battles to settle during training camp FanSided
  • Quarterback Shuffle: 3 passers who could be on the move in '24 NFL Spin Zone
  • Ranking the 2023 offseason for the NFL’s 2022 last-place teams NFL Spin Zone
  • NFL Offseason Promo From DraftKings Gives $150 Bonus INSTANTLY (Just Bet $5 to Unlock)   FanSided

    • Ian Williams was the starter last season until he broke his ankle and suffered ligament damage in week two versus Seattle. He has not fully recovered yet and no timetable has been set for his return.

    For now, it seems as if the starting job is Dial’s to lose. Other options include Tony Jerod-Eddie and Mike Purcell.

    Jerod-Eddie filled in nicely for Justin Smith and Ray McDonald last season. He will be used there again this year in order to keep both Smith and McDonald fresh and healthy for yet another playoff run.

    San Francisco has owned one of the league’s best rushing defenses over the past few seasons. If they want that trend to continue, Dial and others need to step up.

    Thursday night’s game against Baltimore would be a good stepping stone for many of the young defensive linemen.