SANTA CLARA – The 49ers have rarely asked a rookie offensive lineman to open the season as a starter, but Dominick Puni could change that trend.

The 2024 third-round draft pick has been thrust into the spotlight after injuries ravaged the position during training camp. Puni is expected to be the first rookie to start on the 49ers’ offensive line in a Week 1 game since 2018, when first-round draft pick Mike McGlinchey debuted as a right tackle.

In an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, Puni talked about how he carved out a key role for himself as one of the team’s newest members.

“Probably the biggest thing was keeping up with the playbook,” Puni told NBC Sports Bay Area. “The more confident you are in what you’re doing, the faster you’re going to play, and that’s how it’s been so far.”

Puni’s position mate Jon Feliciano recently underwent knee surgery that will keep the veteran guard out of action until midseason. Spencer Burford broke his hand in training camp and returned to individual drills this week. Aaron Banks broke his pinky finger, but coach Kyle Shanahan is confident the left guard can return by Week 1.

While injuries aren’t ideal, the situation has allowed Puni to get plenty of play in both San Francisco’s practices and preseason games. The versatile lineman was on the field for 45 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in the 49ers’ first preseason game and 58 percent the following week.

One reason Puni was able to settle in quickly is the extra work he put in between rookie minicamp and training camp. During the break, the rookie watched every meeting offensive line coach Chris Foerster held to get a head start when he submitted his report in July.

“I just wanted to get as much information as I could on the offense,” Puni said. “When I came to rookie minicamp, I just wanted to get a head start. I didn’t want to just get up and learn everything. (I wanted to) avoid simple mistakes that I could avoid if I watched film early. That’s all I tried to do, just start early.”

Foerster did not notice Puni’s diligence and learned that the lineman had requested all of the coach’s “teach meetings” and assignments immediately after his signing.

“He wanted every single meeting,” Foerster said. “Then by the time he got to rookie minicamp, which I think was two weeks after the draft, he had seen all of my installation meetings from Phase 1, Phase 2 and everything we had done up to that point.”

“And he answers every question correctly. He’s a very intelligent kid. Doesn’t say a word. Very, very smart. Very tough. Strong. And he’s not fooled. He’s just quiet Eddie. But he works extremely hard and is very diligent. I don’t think I’ve ever had an offensive lineman – I know I couldn’t have sat through all those meetings – he grabbed them and devoured them. So good for him.”

Puni has a slight advantage from his football experience at Kansas, which runs a similar offense. While the 24-year-old said Shanahan’s playbook was the hardest he’s had to learn so far, there were also familiar aspects of the system.

The work for the young lineman won’t end anytime soon. Puni understands the commitment the club made when it selected him with the No. 86 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

“Personally, I just think when you draft someone, they’re taking you for a reason, so I’m going to do everything I can,” Puni said. “They put their faith in me by drafting me, so I’m going to give them everything I’ve got. I don’t want them to feel like they made a mistake.”

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