While no team enjoys having to deal with injuries, fringe players buried deep on the roster certainly view such setbacks as potential opportunities.
Taking advantage of said opportunities is the next biggest step.
For San Francisco 49ers rookie offensive lineman Drew Moss, that's precisely the context. The undrafted signee from last spring out of Colorado State has been something of a shocking riser since training camp, and he's carried that momentum over through the Niners' first two preseason games.
It also doesn't hurt his case that two of San Francisco's penciled-in O-line starters, left guard Ben Bartch and right guard Dominick Puni, have been banged up.
Puni, who suffered a knee sprain during the 49ers' exhibition victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in preseason Week 2, could potentially miss the opening week of the regular season, perhaps a little longer. It's not a horrible setback, but it's not ideal either.
Except for Moss.
Drew Moss may be 49ers' O-line X-factor early in regular season
Little is typically expected out of undrafted free agents in year one, especially those of the smaller-school variety.
But Moss has been one of the bright spots on the deeper portions of the Niners O-line, putting up a solid 73.3 Pro Football Focus grade over two preseason games thus far. And with one more exhibition bout to go, the first-year pro might not just cement a spot on the 53-man roster but could potentially work his way into the conversation surrounding Puni's short-term replacement.
Yes, that means being a rookie Week 1 starter.
If it's any solace, at least for the doubters, PFF also ranked San Francisco's Week 1 opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, 23rd overall with regard to their defensive line entering 2025. So, it's not as if Moss and the 49ers have to worry too much about facing an elite pass rush or run defense right out of the gate.
Still, a patchwork O-line is far from ideal unless there are clearly established reserves who can plug the voids left by injury.
While Bartch appears to be on track to return healthy enough for the regular season, Puni's uncertainty opens up the door for Moss to make quite the name for himself right out of the gate.
Good for the rookie. One can only hope he seizes that unexpected opportunity.
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