The San Francisco 49ers are deep on the defensive line and have several in-house candidates to replace Glenn Dorsey, who appears to be out for the season with a torn biceps, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Although the team is hopeful his season is not over, the 49ers must figure out a strategy to fill his spot.

For now, they probably will give second-year player Quinton Dial the first crack at replacing Dorsey. The 2013 fifth-round pick from Alabama is big, strong and nasty. He has been a star of training camp. He has a chance to be pretty good right away.

There is also Ian Williams, who was the starter at the beginning of last season. He broke his leg in Week 2 at Seattle and was lost for the season. The injury was so severe that he still is not practicing. The team is hopeful he can play this season. Williams is an outstanding player, as well.

Tony Jerod-Eddie and Demarcus Dobbs are also valuable backups and will be in the rotation. Both showed last season that the stage isn’t too big. Mike Purcell, on the practice squad, also will get a long look.

The 49ers are deep on the defensive line, and the line is well-coached by Jim Tomsula. Dorsey came into his own when he joined San Francisco last season. He will surely be missed, but the 49ers have options.