The San Francisco 49ers are no strangers to navigating the unpredictable waves of the NFL season, and their latest curveball—an injury to rookie standout Dominick Puni—has sparked a surprising and bold contingency plan that has left fans and analysts buzzing. With Puni sidelined due to a knee injury sustained during a recent preseason game, the 49ers are reportedly considering a dramatic shift: moving Spencer Burford, a versatile offensive lineman, back to guard to stabilize their offensive line. This unexpected move could reshape the team’s strategy for the 2025 season and prove to be a masterstroke—or a risky gamble.
The Puni Problem: A Rookie Star Sidelined
Dominick Puni, a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was a revelation for the 49ers last season. His stellar performance at right guard, where he allowed just three sacks in 1,070 snaps and earned a spot as PFF’s 11th-ranked guard, solidified his role as a cornerstone of the offensive line. However, a knee injury reported during the 49ers’ preseason matchup has cast uncertainty over his availability for the early regular season games. While the team remains optimistic about his recovery, the injury has forced head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff to rethink their lineup, especially with a grueling season ahead.
The 49ers’ offensive line has already faced significant turnover this offseason, with key departures like Aaron Banks, who signed a lucrative four-year, $77 million deal with the Green Bay Packers. Losing Puni, even temporarily, leaves a gaping hole at guard—a position critical to protecting quarterback Brock Purdy and maintaining the team’s dominant run game. Enter Spencer Burford, a player whose journey with the 49ers has been anything but predictable.
Spencer Burford: The Forgotten Talent
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas at San Antonio, Spencer Burford burst onto the scene as a promising rookie, starting 29 games at right guard over his first two seasons. His athleticism and ability to handle complex blocking schemes made him a fan favorite early on. However, 2024 was a challenging year for Burford. A broken hand during training camp cost him his starting role to Puni, and a subsequent calf injury limited him to just 113 offensive snaps for the season. His struggles culminated in being placed on Injured Reserve before the 49ers’ Week 18 matchup, raising questions about his future with the team.
Despite these setbacks, Burford’s versatility and prior experience make him an intriguing option. During his college career, he predominantly played left tackle, showcasing his ability to adapt to different roles on the offensive line. In fact, during the 2024 season opener against the New York Jets, Burford stepped in at left guard after Banks’ injury and looked remarkably comfortable, logging 16 snaps without allowing a single pressure and delivering a highlight-reel pancake block on Jets’ defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson II. As Burford himself noted, playing on the left side “felt natural” due to his collegiate experience, hinting at untapped potential that the 49ers are now poised to leverage.
The Shocking Plan: Burford Back to Guard
With Puni’s injury creating uncertainty, the 49ers are reportedly considering shifting Burford back to guard—potentially at left guard, where he could fill the void left by Banks’ departure and Puni’s absence. This move is surprising for several reasons. First, Burford’s 2024 season was marred by injuries and limited playing time, leading some to speculate that his tenure with the 49ers might be nearing its end, especially as he enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 with a $3.4 million cap hit. Second, the team has other options, such as Ben Bartch, who was re-signed to a one-year deal, and rookie Connor Colby, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft. Yet, the 49ers seem to believe Burford’s experience and familiarity with their system give him the edge.
The decision to pivot to Burford is a calculated risk. At 24 years old, he’s still one of the youngest linemen on the roster, and his $3.4 million salary for 2025 makes him a cost-effective option compared to re-signing Banks or pursuing a high-profile free agent. Moreover, his prior success as a starter and his ability to play multiple positions—having logged snaps at both tackle and guard—make him a valuable asset in a pinch. The 49ers’ reluctance to splurge on guards, as evidenced by their lack of effort to retain Banks, further supports the idea that they see Burford as a viable, budget-friendly solution.
Why This Move Could Work
Burford’s potential return to guard is more than just a stopgap measure; it could be a long-term fix for the 49ers’ offensive line woes. His performance in limited action last season demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly, and his familiarity with the left side from his college days could ease the transition. The 49ers’ offensive scheme, which relies heavily on a robust running game and quick, precise blocking, plays to Burford’s strengths as an athletic lineman who can pull and trap effectively, as seen in his standout block against the Jets.
Additionally, with high-profile players like Brock Purdy and Deommodore Lenoir due for significant contract extensions, the 49ers face a tight salary cap in 2025. Burford’s relatively low cap hit offers financial flexibility, allowing the team to allocate resources elsewhere while still fielding a competent starter. If Burford can reclaim his 2022-2023 form, where he started 29 games and showed flashes of brilliance, this move could be a steal for San Francisco.
The Risks and Challenges
Of course, this plan is not without its risks. Burford’s injury history—most notably the broken hand and calf issues in 2024—raises concerns about his durability. His limited playing time last season also means he’ll need to shake off rust and prove he can handle the physical demands of a full season at guard. Furthermore, competition from Bartch and Colby could complicate matters, as both players are vying for the same role. Bartch, in particular, has been pegged as a potential starter at left guard, and his health and performance in training camp will be critical factors.
There’s also the question of Burford’s long-term fit. With his contract expiring after the 2025 season, the 49ers may view him as a one-year rental, potentially drafting another guard in 2026 to replace him. If Burford underperforms or struggles to adapt back to guard, the team could find itself scrambling to address the position mid-season, putting additional pressure on an already depleted offensive line.
A Bold Move for a Bold Season
The 49ers’ decision to consider Spencer Burford as a starter at guard is a classic Kyle Shanahan curveball—a move that no one saw coming but could pay dividends if executed correctly. With Puni’s injury exposing vulnerabilities in the offensive line, Burford’s versatility and experience offer a lifeline. Whether this gamble transforms him into a cornerstone of the 49ers’ line or merely serves as a temporary fix remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: San Francisco is betting on its depth and adaptability to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
As training camp looms, all eyes will be on Burford to see if he can seize this unexpected opportunity and silence his doubters. If he succeeds, the 49ers may have uncovered a hidden gem in their roster—a backup plan so shocking, it just might work.