Mike McGlinchey is getting a baptism by fire this summer, and so far the 49ers’ No. 1 pick in this year’s draft is doing just fine. Maybe a little singed around the edges, but mostly holding his own.
McGlinchey, who’s expected to start at right tackle when the regular season opens, started against the Cowboys’ Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence Thursday night. This week, he’ll get plenty of work against the Texans’ tandem of outstanding defensive ends, J.J. Watt – who just happens to be a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year – and Jadeveon Clowney. The 49ers and Texans will scrimmage two days this week before they play an exhibition game Saturday night in Houston.
Against Dallas in his pro game debut, McGlinchey played 23 snaps and for the most part held his own against Lawrence. He allowed Lawrence to hit quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on one early pass play when Lawrence pushed the rookie tackle back, but came back later to shove Lawrence far out of the play when the Dallas defender tried to go around him on another pass rush.
McGlinchey also knocked Cowboys defensive lineman Taco Charlton to the ground on a play.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters he was “really happy” with McGlinchey’s debut, and so was McGlinchey.
“I thought I played pretty well,” McGlinchey told Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “Obviously a couple of things to clean up here and there, but overall pretty good first showing. I had to calm my nerves a little bit on the first drive.”
Now, McGlinchey says he’s eager to test himself – and learn – while going against the Texans’ dynamic duo.
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“It’s definitely going to be fun,” he said. “It’s why you play in the NFL, to play against the biggest and baddest dudes.”
The 49ers are scheduled for a 5 p.m. kickoff Saturday in Houston.
