The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up to play their preseason opener Saturday against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.

Exhibition contests are a good opportunity for players in the heat of a position battle to give themselves an edge in that competition. The 49ers didn't have many open starting jobs entering camp this year, but one of them may already be sewn up before their preseason slate even starts.

San Francisco probably had a desired outcome on the offensive line entering camp. In a perfect world, third-round pick Dominick Puni would be the player to elevate himself at right guard to give the 49ers a long-term option at a position where they've struggled to find answers.

Puni wasn't running with the first team much to start camp, but then Spencer Burford and Jon Feliciano both went down with injuries and opened the door for the rookie to step into regular first-team reps.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner noted on Twitter after Tuesday's practice that the shuffling along the first-team offensive line has stopped, and that the primary competition is happening among the reserves.

That means entering Week 1 the 49ers would be looking at an offensive line of Trent Williams at left tackle, Aaron Banks at left guard, Jake Brendel at center, Puni at right guard and Colton McKivitz at right tackle.

Things could always change with about a month to go until the regular season opener. Puni has been fine in practice by all accounts, but how he performs against a defensive line wearing a different uniform will make or break where he stands in that competition.

If he acquits himself well in game action, there may not be much reason to continue the competition at right guard.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Have 49ers already figured out starting OL for 2024?