Niner Noise
FanSided

5 49ers players to watch in Week 15 versus Seahawks

By Peter Panacy

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 02: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 02: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Running Back Matt Breida

An ankle injury forced second-year running back Matt Breida to register just six yards on five carries when the 49ers last played the Seahawks, and the Niners running game never got going against one of the league’s worst rushing defenses.

Breida is still listed as questionable for the contest, although he managed to participate in limited fashion during practice this week.

If Breida is unable to go, San Francisco’s primary rushing duties will once again fall on undrafted rookie Jeff Wilson, who averaged 4.1 yards per carry on 15 carries back in Week 13.

Still, Breida’s 5.6 yards-per-carry average on the season — tied for second best in the NFL — makes him the bigger threat. And with the 49ers looking to keep the Seattle offense off the field as much as possible after the previous blowout, one can see why having Breida healthy and contributing should be a key X-factor.

Especially considering the Seahawks are allowing 5.0 rush yards per carry this season — fourth worst in the league entering Week 15.