McKivitz was not on Thurdsay’s injury report, meaning he suffered the knee issue in practice. A mid-week addition to the injury report is never a good sign. The 49ers could be without three starting linemen this week if McKivitz sits. Left tackle Trent Williams and left guard Aaron Banks are both injured as well.

Drafted in 2020, McKivitz spent the first three years of his career as a backup. He took over the starting right tackle job in 2023 after Mike McGlinchey left in free agency. McKivitz was solid in his first year, grading out as Pro Football Focus’s No. 47 tackle. The 49ers inked McKivitz to a two-year deal last offseason and he will now remain with the team through 2025 if he plays out the remainder of his new contract.

It was the clear message sent after the 49ers didn't draft a tackle this offseason nor sign a big-name free agent to replace the departed Mike McGlinchey. McKivitz signed a two-year contract this offseason and looks likely to start at right tackle for the 49ers in 2023. â??The spirit, as we call it, really started to show," Lynch added. "And Colton is sneaky talented, as well. We like him a lot as a player.â?

A 2020 fifth-rounder, McKivitz has just 446 career snaps to his name, though a decent chunk of them came in 2022 at both tackle spots. He provides in-house insurance in the increasingly likely event that RT Mike McGlinchey departs in free agency.