Source: Shon Colemon opts out of 49ers season

Days after wide receiver Travis Benjamin opted out of the 2020 football season amid coronavirus concerns, the 49ers had a second player follow suit just ahead of Thursday’s 1 p.m. opt-out deadline.

Offensive lineman Shon Coleman, who would have been a candidate for the “swing” tackle role behind starters Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey, decided to sit out for 2020, a league source confirmed to The Bee. The NFL Network was first to report the news Thursday afternoon.

The move comes after Coleman dealt with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a high school senior in 2010. He overcame it following two-plus years of chemotherapy treatments to have a successful college career at Auburn before getting taken in the third round of the 2016 draft by the Cleveland Browns. People with histories of significant diseases are considered especially at risk to COVID-19.

Because of his history, Coleman is likely a candidate for the $350,000 “high-risk” stipend given to players opting out due to serious medical conditions. Players opting out who aren’t deemed high risk get a $150,000 stipend. Coleman’s contract is expected to roll over into 2021.

The 49ers acquired Coleman, 28, in a trade for a late-round draft pick ahead of the 2018 season after he started all 16 games for the 0-16 Browns team.

Coleman signed a one-year contract to stay with the 49ers this offseason after fracturing his lower leg during the preseason opener last August causing him to miss the entire season. General manager John Lynch has said he thinks Coleman has the upside to become a quality starter. Coleman has not appeared in a regular season game since getting acquired.

San Francisco has a number of capable players competing for the top backup tackle role Coleman was a candidate for, such as Daniel Brunskill, Justin Skule and recent fifth-round draft choice, Colton McKivitz.

This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 1:42 PM.