SANTA CLARA — Garry Gilliam’s release Wednesday means the 49ers are on the hunt for a new offensive tackle with starter potential but one who initially will back up starters Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey.
Staley, in his 12th season, and McGlinchey, last year’s top draft pick, started every game and were the team’s most reliable offensive players during the 4-12 season.
Gilliam, 28, served as their rarely used backup. That left Shon Coleman inactive all 16 games after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns just before the season for a seventh-round draft pick.
A so-called swing tackle is an overlooked but key role on any team, and even though Gilliam served in that role the past two seasons, he rarely got called into action.