Tag: nick zakelj

49ers place OL Nick Zakelj on IR

A #49ers OL had season-ending surgery on a torn biceps:

49ers second-year offensive lineman Nick Zakelj has been placed on Injured Reserve and is out for the season.

Zakelj suffered a torn biceps during his brief appearance against the Jaguars in Week 10. He’s eligible to return, but his injury required surgery and is season-ending according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

The injury to the reserve OL makes San Francisco a little thinner on the interior, and it comes at the same time starting right tackle Colton McKivitz is working through a knee issue.

Shanahan also said the club will bring an offensive lineman up from the practice squad. Undrafted rookies Ilm Manning and Corey Luciano, as well as veteran Jesse Davis are the three OL available in-house.

Zakelj could still figure into the team’s long-term plans at guard as he transitions from his natural tackle spot.

San Francisco hasn’t made a corresponding move yet. Their open roster spot could go to one of the practice squad OL, but it might also go to one of the players on an injured list who has an open practice window. Samuel Womack, Robert Beal and Darrell Luter Jr. are all eligible to be activated after their practice windows opened last Monday.

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49ers rookie review: Nick Zakelj’s building year

Our 2022 #49ers rookie review continues with OL Nick Zakelj. His position change led to sparse in-game opportunities as a rookie, but could lead to a larger role in 2023.

The 49ers didn’t utilize offensive lineman Nick Zakelj much during his rookie season. That was likely the plan all along when they drafted him No. 187 overall out of Fordham.

Zaklej spent his college career playing tackle at Fordham. He was primarily on the left side, but he did play on the right side during his freshman campaign. His future with the 49ers is likely somewhere on the interior, which is why his playing time was relatively sparse as a rookie. He played in just five games, and only logged offensive snaps in two of them. When he did play on the offensive side, he was lined up at left guard. The 49ers also worked him out at center during the year and he played both guard spots during the preseason.

The 2022 campaign was Zakelj’s opportunity to make a positional change without being thrown into the fire of live NFL snaps. This season will be a chance for him to step into a larger role, though it’ll likely be as a reserve with starting guards Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford returning.

Zakelj may need to make the permanent move to center if he’s going to carve out a starting role on the 49ers’ offensive line. Even though there could be an opening at right tackle, the team didn’t seem inclined on playing him at his more natural spot. Center is the only spot going into the offseason that could conceivably see a new starter, though it’s hard to see the 49ers letting C Jake Brendel walk in free agency with no sure option behind him.

The goal for Zakelj should just be to climb up the depth chart this offseason. It’d be a nice step for him if he can join the active game day roster every week in 2023 and get some special teams time while working in as the team’s top reserve lineman on the interior.

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6 takeaways from the 49ers’ initial 53-man roster

Takeaways from @nicholasmcgee24 after the #49ers announced their 53-man roster.

The 49ers’ 53-man roster is set. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have settled on the group they believe can deliver success in Trey Lance’s first season as the starting quarterback.

In true Shanahan fashion, the initial 53-man group has some surprises, the most significant being the decision to retain the services of Jimmy Garoppolo as the No. 2 quarterback.

Beyond that bet on the 49ers’ team chemistry, there were several other unexpected decisions that will not provoke the same level of reaction but could have more of an influence on the direction of the Niners this season. 

Let’s examine those roster choices in a look at six key takeaways from cutdown day for San Francisco.

Move to guard likely coming for 49ers draft pick OL Nick Zakelj

The #49ers picked another college offensive tackle who figures to convert to guard in the NFL.

Nick Zakelj spent five years at Fordham becoming one of the best offensive tackles in the Patriot Conference. That path isn’t likely to continue in the NFL after the 49ers picked him 187th overall in this year’s draft. Zakelj told reporters in a press conference after he was selected that he anticipates a move inside as a pro.

“While I did play tackle in college and I’m most comfortable at it, getting those reps at guard at the Senior Bowl broadened my horizon,” he said via Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. “I’m open to being more of a guard at the next level.”

This has become a habit for the 49ers in the draft. Colton McKivitz in 2020 and Jaylon Moore in 2021 were both 49ers picks that played tackle in college, but were taken with the goal of moving them to the interior. This year’s fourth-round pick Spencer Burford also primarily played tackle in college and figures to kick inside as a pro.

Perhaps Zakelj acquits himself well on the outside and sticks at his natural position, but the 49ers need help inside. There are two starting guard jobs open and if Zakelj can make that move with his size and athleticism it’s easy to see how he’d succesfully work his way into the new position.

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49ers add OT Nick Zakelj with No. 187 pick

The #49ers with the 187th pick added an offensive tackle.

The 49ers added a late-round offensive tackle with their 187th overall pick where they selected Fordham offensive tackle Nick Zakelj (zah-KELL). San Francisco acquired the 2022 sixth-round selection last year when they dealt LB Jonas Griffith to Denver.

Zakelj brings a ton of experience at left tackle where he was a five-year starter in college. At 6-6, 316 pounds he has the size to stick in the NFL. He’s also a very good athlete and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 49ers tried moving him inside.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. pointed to pad level as a problem with Zakelj, but that’s something an NFL coaching staff can correct.

Whether he sticks at tackle or moves inside, there’ll be a role for Zakelj if he impresses in camp. If he hits his ceiling there’s a chance he winds up sticking as a long-term option at right tackle if the team isn’t happy with Mike McGlinchey. That’s a ways off from coming into the picture though.

For now he’ll compete for a reserve OL job and has a real shot to make the active roster in Year 1.