San Francisco 49ers guard Jonathan Cooper has not practiced with the team as he continues to recover from MCL surgery in January. The missed time has given Joshua Garnett, along with newly signed offensive lineman Mike Person, an opportunity to work with the first-team offense this week.
Garnett, who the 49ers made a first-round pick in 2016, spent all of last season on injured reserve. He injured his knee during a training camp practice and had surgery on August 10, 2017, to "clean out" the knee. While Garnett could have returned at some point last season, the 49ers wanted him to use the year off to get into better shape.
"I've been very proud of how he handled his year off," head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Garnett on Tuesday. "Some guys, when they go through that, they can get down, especially the surprise it was for him when it happened. He really took advantage of his year off. I think he's changed his body.
"I think he's lost weight and added muscle. I think by doing that, you're faster, you're more athletic. I don't believe he's lost his power either because it's been the right type of weight. He's had a good two days. It's real early, but he's put himself in a position to be the best he can."
Shanahan does prefer leaner and quicker offensive linemen. During the draft, the team traded away highly-regarded right tackle Trent Brown (6-8, 355) and replaced him with first-round draft pick Mike McGlinchey (6-8, 309).
Brown reportedly had issues with his weight during his tenure with the 49ers. Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst reported in April that Brown showed up to the team's offseason program out of shape, which contributed to the decision to trade him and draft a replacement.
Another player who missed the 2017 season was last year's fourth-round draft pick, Joe Williams. Shanahan feels the running back also took advantage of his year off.
"I noticed a couple of runs today that flashed," Shanahan said. "There was two runs in particular that I told him he did a real good job on out there.
"It's a little harder with running backs in [OTAs]. There's no pads on out there. We're not trying to really run through arm tackles and stuff. We're trying to go really hard but not hit each other either, so it's a little tougher with running backs. Those are the ones you see a little bit more -- we'll know more -- when we get to the preseason (and) put those pads on."
"Joe wasn't hurt as long as [Joshua Garnett], but Joe's always been in good shape," Shanahan continued. "Physically, it's very good. The thing with Joe is going to be how does he do when you get to preseason and those games start."
