Joshua Garnett’s return to the field after dislocating his finger will not be swift. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters following Thursday’s practice that the offensive lineman had surgery on his injured finger and will be out for three weeks.
A three-week timeline means Garnett will likely miss the first two preseason games. Those are Aug. 10 and 19 against the Cowboys and Broncos.
This is a tough roadblock for the fourth-year guard in a crucial offseason. Shanahan said Garnett had a good showing during the spring and his finger required surgery after it wouldn’t stay in place according to Cam Inman of the Mercury News.
The 49ers already passed on picking up Garnett’s fifth-year option, and his climb to a starting job was pretty steep. This injury could wind up pushing him further down the depth chart though depending on how the other reserves do in his absence, and how he responds once he returns to action.
He’ll have a ton of ground to make up in a short time once he is back in practice. The good news for Garnett is it shouldn’t take long to get back to full participation when he does return. A finger injury shouldn’t limit him the way a more serious lower body injury might.
