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49ers preseason: Player stock watch after Week 3 loss to Vikings

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to teammate Carlos Hyde #28 against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to teammate Carlos Hyde #28 against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Terence Newman #23 and Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Terence Newman #23 and Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

49ers Run Blocking

For the most part this season, the Niners offensive line has done a commendable job in pass protection.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

This was the case, again, on Sunday night. San Francisco’s O-line gave up only two sacks, and the one suffered by quarterback C.J. Beathard was more a result of him holding onto the ball for a bit too long.

But run blocking has been a major issue, and it was the case once more in Minnesota.

Yes, the 49ers managed 91 rushing yards on 26 attempts — averaging 3.5 yards in the process. Yet San Francisco’s probable top-two runners, Carlos Hyde and Joe Williams, struggled to get anything going.

Hyde and Williams averaged only 2.7 and 2.3 yards per carry, respectively, on seven carries apiece.

It’s definitely not a good sign for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, which relies so heavily on the ability to move the ball on the ground.

Left tackle Joe Staley exited the game early with a knee injury, although it seems to be little more than precautionary. And the rest of the O-line went through a number of shifts and personnel changes typical for the preseason.

Still, the lack of run blocking isn’t a good look so far.

Stock: Down