49ers: How will San Francisco replace injured RB Jerick McKinnon?

How will the San Francisco 49ers replace running back Jerick McKinnon’s production after their starting RB’s season-ending knee injury?

The San Francisco 49ers received some devastating news today, as they learned starting running back Jerick McKinnon will be lost for the entire 2018 NFL regular season due to injury.

The Niners’ new starting RB sustained a non-contact injury to his right knee — the same leg that kept him out of preseason action — in practice earlier today. The 49ers later confirmed that McKinnon tore his ACL, which will keep their dual-threat back out of action until next season:

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch pursued McKinnon aggressively in free agency, and signed the back to an expensive four-year, $30 million contract to replace former starting running back Carlos Hyde.

San Francisco signed McKinnon specifically for his rare athletic ability, which makes him a threat as both a runner and a receiver out the backfield. So how will the 49ers fill the void left by McKinnon’s injury?

San Francisco currently has four additional running backs on their final 53-man roster: veteran Alfred Morris, second-year player Matt Breida, special-teams star Raheem Mostert, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Although the 49ers signed Morris just two weeks ago, the 29-year old will likely shoulder a major portion of San Francisco’s rushing load, along with Breida, who was cleared for action earlier today after recovering from a preseason shoulder injury:

While the duo should be able to combine for a serviceable rushing attack, neither running back is proficient in the passing game. Breida did little with his passing targets during his rookie season and Morris averaged less than 12 receptions per season in his four years as an NFL starter:

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Generated 9/1/2018.

Juszczyk is easily the best receiver of the bunch, as Mostert has yet to catch an NFL pass, and was unimpressive as a receiver during the preseason. Shanahan may call on “Juice” to play a more prominent role on third down, but the Niners will need to add a halfback with receiving ability to the roster as well.

Recently waived Joe Williams isn’t an option due to his lack of experience as a receiver in college and the NFL, so the 49ers may be forced to search outside the group of running backs they released over the weekend.

If San Francisco decides to bring a player back, it will likely be Jeremy McNichols. Although he doesn’t particularly look the part, McNichols caught 103 passes for 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns over three years at Boise State:

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Generated 9/1/2018.

McNichols also led all Niner running backs with eight preseason receptions. While he’s certainly not an ideal fit, since McNichols knows Shanahan’s offensive system, he could be a quick fix and a player who could contribute immediately in Week 1 of the regular season.

Look for Lynch and Shanahan to actively pursue the free-agent market — as well as teams willing to trade a change-of-pace running back — as the San Francisco 49ers attempt to replace McKinnon’s receiving production out of the backfield.