Colton McKivitz injury could force more change on the 49ers' offensive line

The San Francisco 49ers just got Trent Williams back on their offensive line, but they might need to make another change up front for their Week 11 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While All-Pro left tackle Williams, who had missed the previous two games with an ankle injury, came through the Niners' 34-3 win […]

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Nov 12, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Blake Hance (73) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) with offensive tackle Colton McKivitz (68) blocking during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium.
Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers just got Trent Williams back on their offensive line, but they might need to make another change up front for their Week 11 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While All-Pro left tackle Williams, who had missed the previous two games with an ankle injury, came through the Niners' 34-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars unscathed, right tackle Colton McKivitz rolled his ankle in the blowout, providing another O-Line concern for a team that is without left guard Aaron Banks due to turf toe.

McKivitz, Kyle Shanahan revealed on his Monday conference call, is day to day.

Swing tackle Jaylon Moore filled in for Williams on the left side during his absence, but Shanahan suggested he might not step into the same role on the right side if McKivitz cannot go, with veteran Matt Pryor also an option.

"He does have that flexibility," Shanahan said of Moore potentially playing on the right side. 

"I mean, we would discuss both [Moore and Pryor]. Once the season starts, [offensive line coach] Chris [Foerster] reps those guys at all the spots. He covers us for all those situations because you never know where a year can go.

"So it's always a possibility to swing all those guys. There's spots we prefer them at, but we always have contingency plans that he's constantly trying, when he can, to get him reps with that during the week."

McKivitz has endured some struggles in recent games. He gave up six pressures in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings and, after a cleaner game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, he surrendered four in the victory over the Jaguars, including a red zone pressure that resulted in an intentional grounding penalty against Brock Purdy, forcing the Niners to settle for a field goal at the end of the first half.

As such, there could be an opportunity for Moore or Pryor to nail down a long-term spot for the remainder of the season with a solid performance against the Bucs. McKivitz has provided sufficient evidence he is a weak link on the offensive line, and he will have reason to be nervous if he misses out in Week 11.