The San Francisco 49ers entered 2025 with Ben Bartch as their starting left guard. After a serious injury history, it was always a risk that Bartch would make it through a full 17-game slate. Ten snaps into Week 2’s game against the New Orleans Saints, Bartch suffered a high-ankle sprain, landing him on the Injured Reserve.
On Wednesday, when asked which players from the Injured Reserve were progressing, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said, “Hopefully we’ll have a chance for [George] Kittle next week.
Just a chance. I don’t think Bartch is up next week, though.”
That means Bartch would miss at least five games, and likely more if Shanahan is suggesting he won’t return to practice in Week 7. Connor Colby has filled in admirably in Bartch’s absence, but it’s been tough sledding for the 49ers’ rookie seventh-rounder.
Here’s a look at the pressure rate allowed for the Niners’ offensive line:
Trent Williams: 4.61%
Connor Colby 9.25%
Jake Brendel 1.38%
Dominick Puni 2.78%
Colton McKivitz 2.76%
The league average is around 4.52 percent. It’s also worth noting that Williams is left on an island, while McKivitz often receives help in the form of a tight end or a running back. As you can see, one of these numbers is unlike the other.
It’s not as if Colby struggles in one particular area. He has the 11th-highest blown block rate in pass protection among all offensive linemen. His 7% blown-block rate in pass pro tops is significantly worse than Colton McKivitz’s 5.9% blown-block rate in 2024 — a number “good” enough for sixth-worst in the NFL in 2024.
The eye test says Colby is worse against the run. The numbers say Colby has the seventh-highest blown block rate as a run blocker. If you’re wondering why the 49ers haven’t gotten anything going through five games on the ground, it’s because Dominick Puni has the fourth-highest in the same category. When both of your guards are struggling, your running game has no chance.
Kyle Shanahan was asked about the progress that he’s seen in the running game through five games. He mentioned the importance of the magic number of 30:
“What am I seeing? Well last week you didn’t see much statistically at all. Kind of had an idea going into the game how big of a challenge that was going to be. I wasn’t proud of the production in terms of yards and everything, but I was extremely proud of how our team got over 30 carries. When you can do that and you’re averaging under three, that means you’re doing a lot of good things. You’re staying out there, you’re executing, you’re doing good on third down. But, we missed some opportunities earlier in this year, it got a little harder versus the Rams, it’s going to get harder this week versus Tampa Bay. But, we’ve just got to keep pressing away.”
Christian McCaffrey finding success on the ground has been like pulling teeth. McCaffrey has had success rates under 30 percent in three games since a career-high success rate against the New Orleans Saints of 69.2 percent. A pair of divisional opponents and a stout Jaguars defense was always going to be a challenge to run against. Still, McCaffrey’s expected numbers tell the story that the 49ers should be producing more on the ground.
The 49ers’ rushing attack has the fourth-highest stuffed percentage in the NFL — meaning they are getting tackled at or behind the line of scrimmage at a high clip, 21.6 percent of the time, to be specific. No team has a lower expected rushing yards over expected than Kyle Shanahan’s offense. They are -81 in RYOE. The Cincinnati Bengals are 31st and -67.
We’ve highlighted the main culprits along the offensive line. Backup tight ends and wide receivers are blocking defensive lineman and linebackers for the first time in their careers, and it shows. The lack of cohesion has been on full display for the Niners’ offense.
It’s bizarre to watch a Kyle Shanahan offense look inept on the ground. It won’t get any easier against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that’s fourth against the run in schedule-adjusted efficiency. Vita Vea and Logan Hall have made life miserable for their opponents.
The 49ers are unlikely to get their rushing attack off the ground until their All-Pro tight end and wide receiver return. George Kittle is expected to practice ahead of Week 7.
