SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers hadn't even hit the field for their first training camp workout Sunday and already two of new head coach Chip Kelly's biggest issues in fixing the club's troubled offense already had been resolved.
Things began falling into place Friday when Stanford's Joshua Garnett, a projected starter at guard, signed his rookie contract, and continued Saturday when veteran right tackle Anthony Davis was formally reinstated by the NFL.
"You can tell the way he moved around (Saturday), he's worked," Kelly said of Davis, who sat out the entire 2015 season. "I feel real confident with where A.D. is wanting to come back and play."
Surely, the Garnett news was far more anticipated than Davis' return following a year off due to health concerns.
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The 49ers moved into the bottom of the first round in the NFL draft (28th overall pick) in order to select Garnett, who fits nicely into the spot left open when Alex Boone left for Minnesota in free agency.
Garnett was voted the Pacific-12 Conference Lineman of the Year and was awarded the Outland Trophy as the nation's best collegiate lineman as a Stanford senior last season.
Kelly had expected to open camp with a bit of a mess at right tackle, with neither of last year's two replacements -- Erik Pears and Trent Brown -- having come close to the high standards set by Davis.
The veteran had indicated on social media during the 2015 season that he planned to return this season, but he signed formal retirement papers, which gave that boast great uncertainty.
But he's lived up to those words despite some serious concussion concerns when last active for the 49ers in December of 2014, and he was a full participant at Sunday's first formal workout.
"He's got a blank slate, just like every other player and coach," Kelly said in insisting Davis has not been guaranteed anything in his return. "We're all new here."
One guy especially happy to see Davis was running back Carlos Hyde.
"It's good to have him back," he assured. "He's a guy that's going to come in and help our offensive line a lot."
Adding Garnett and Davis to the pre-existing solid duo of left tackle Joe Staley and center Daniel Kilgore gives Kelly just one hole to fill on the offensive front during camp.
Pears, acquired initially to play guard, entered camp as the favorite to earn the fifth line spot. But he figures to get serious competition from newcomer Zane Beadles and returnees Brandon Thomas and Marcus Martin.