SANTA CLARA – Veteran offensive lineman Jon Feliciano knew there was a chance he would return to a backup role when he signed with the 49ers during the offseason.
He also knew that, at worst, he would have the chance to contribute as a top backup at center and at both guard spots.
“With the opportunity to win a Super Bowl with this team, that’s why I ultimately came here,” Feliciano told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday, shortly before the 49ers left for their Week 10 game against the Jaguars of Jacksonville.
Feliciano will get his first start with the 49ers on Sunday in Jacksonville with left guard Aaron Banks expected to be sidelined for several games with a hyperextended toe.
Feliciano was primarily a backup during his first four NFL seasons with the Raiders. Then he started 46 games over the next four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants.
Feliciano said he knew there was a chance he would be a backup when he signed with the 49ers.
After all, the 49ers had Banks, center Jake Brendel and right guard Spencer Burford.
However, Feliciano said he thought he had a chance of landing a job. And that could still be the case this season.
Feliciano, 31, impressed the coaching staff enough to earn an opportunity to move to the offensive line, coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday.
“We were going to start playing him a little bit just to get him in, it didn’t matter because of his consistency,” Shanahan said. “Then it happened with Banks, so now he gets his chance, but we’re very happy with Jon.”
Feliciano believes he fits well into Shanahan’s offensive system. He said that in seasons past, when he watched film to prepare for an upcoming defense, there were times when he noticed the 49ers’ scheme.
His eyes would drift to the other side of the ball.
“Watching film of their offense and the ground game, I was a fan of that team and Kyle’s offense,” Feliciano said. “I think a lot of offensive linemen look at this scheme and like what they see. So when the 49ers called, I was super excited. I thought I could be good in this offense.
The 49ers are counting on him, as they head to Jacksonville on a three-game losing streak. San Francisco will focus on getting its running game going.
Feliciano will start at left guard, but there is uncertainty over whether Trent Williams or Jaylon Moore will line up at left tackle. Williams is questionable due to an ankle injury.
“I had a lot of reps with both of them,” Feliciano said. “Trent makes a goalie’s life pretty easy. Jay-Mo, almost every day in practice we put reps together. That’s the advantage of playing all three positions, I get familiar with everyone.
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