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San Francisco 49ers: Does Joe Williams deserve one last chance?

By Jeremy Wohlfart

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 31: Ryan Carrethers #90 of the Los Angeles Chargers strips the ball from Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 31: Ryan Carrethers #90 of the Los Angeles Chargers strips the ball from Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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With the news that Jerick McKinnon is out for the season, the San Francisco 49ers have almost immediately found themselves short at running back. Here Niner Noise determines if the 49ers should call a familiar name.

In case you missed the memo, San Francisco 49ers starting running back Jerick McKinnon tore his ACL in a non-contact incident in practice.

It’s a blow to the 49ers offensive plans, where both the offensive scheme and Jimmy Garoppolo’s development as an apprentice to New England Patriots’ future Hall of Famer, Tom Brady, results in the ball to be spread around to multiple receivers.

McKinnon would at least have served as a handy receiving back for the offense, but those plans have been put on ice at least for this season.

Since head coach Kyle Shanahan had hinted the 49ers could keep four running backs, and that was indeed what they ended up doing, it makes sense that the team will be looking to add somebody to round out the running back position.

Could the 49ers extend a last chance for the talented but unimpressive Joe Williams?

Williams, of course, was part of the Niners’ initial wave of roster cuts. Injuries and ball-security issues the last two seasons certainly hurt his chances. But given he was the first hand-picked runner from the new regime of Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, is that a possibility the Niners would consider?

Why this makes sense

I’m sure some will suggest Jeremy McNichols, who has been undoubtedly much more impressive in preseason action.

But McNichols doesn’t have the ceiling Williams does as a player, and that ceiling is the definitive reason why Williams would work best as the bottom-run running back.

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Now I’m not here to sugarcoat it. Williams was abysmal in his short tenure as a 49ers, constantly injured and unable to impress whatsoever in his preseason appearances.

He also has the unenviable record of the first ever draft pick of the Lynch era to be cut, and few can say it wasn’t seen coming.

But this seems almost to be a golden opportunity. With the regular season now looming quickly, the 49ers would probably find it wise to go with a player who knows the offense well.

Matt Breida and Alfred Morris are likely to shoulder the majority of the load, with Raheem Mostert on special teams, so Williams would not have to do much for the Niners if he’s even active at all. But in the event he is called upon to play, he would at least play with an improved line that has been run blocking better with right guard Joshua Garnett healthy.

Williams is talented, and while I wouldn’t use that reason to have him on the roster, this is a difference circumstance. In fact if not for this opening I would stash him on the practice squad (Williams is still eligible) in the hope he could develop.

Next. 49ers 2018 roster cuts: Complete breakdown of moves so far. dark

The 49ers are one running back down, and the season is fast approaching.

Williams is talented, but the 49ers have never seen it.

Maybe all that’s needed is one last chance.