The San Francisco 49ers went with only seven offensive linemen on their 53-player roster Saturday - five starters and two backups.
Among the backups is ex-Dolphins lineman Jonathan Martin, who will serve as backup for both tackle positions, and could see some time at guard as well.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh showered Martin with praise in a conference call on Saturday, calling him an "example of someone who's really earned the position" with the team.
“He’s been mainly playing tackle, but he has the ability to play guard and going forward that will be something that he’ll continue to learn and be good at,” Harbaugh said, via ProFootballTalk. “I feel very good about it. He’s done an excellent job of getting the job done.”
Martin, 25, started seven games for Miami in 2013 before being traded to the 49ers a month after an NFL investigation determined Martin had been persistently harassed by teammates.
Martin started all four preseason games at right tackle in place of Anthony Davis, who underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason. Should Davis be unable to go in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 7, Martin would draw the start again.
