Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 10 players halfway through 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Matt Breida. 6. team. 42. . Running Back.

Arik Armstead hasn’t been a major difference maker, though, which separates him from the next player on this list, second-year running back Matt Breida.

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Breida was thrust into a starting role after Jerick McKinnon suffered his season-ending ACL injury prior to Week 1. And while that completely changed Kyle Shanahan’s offensive game plan for the year, at least San Francisco’s head coach can take some comfort knowing Breida has handled the load remarkably well.

At one point earlier this season, Breida was the NFL’s leading rusher in both total ground yards and average yards per carry.

Some sluggish weeks and injuries have slowed Breida a bit since his standout breakout earlier this year. Through Week 9, his 531 rush yards ranks ninth among all ball carriers, while his 5.5 yards per carry has dropped Breida to fifth.

But consider everything San Francisco’s offense has gone through this season. And then factor in Shanahan’s ground game ranking fourth in the NFL with 1,212 rush yards at the halfway point.

Breida has had a lot to do with that.

Unfortunately, the slew of injuries the talented tailback has endured this year has kept him from reaching any higher on this list. Still, he’s been impressive.