In an ideal world, the San Francisco 49ers wouldn't be suffering so many injuries during training camp.
But, for players who are buried on the depth chart and/or hanging onto the very fringes of the 90-man offseason roster, injuries can be a vital lifeline to sticking around a little while longer.
There are a few of these cases already, particularly at running back and wide receiver. Yet the defensive line, too, is starting to feel the attrition, especially after veteran defensive tackle Kevin Givens suffered a pectoral injury in practice ahead of the Niners' exhibition opener against the Denver Broncos on Saturday.