49ers: 5 San Francisco players who will bounce back in 2019

San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who will bounce back in 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball and stiff arms defender P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Running Back Jerick McKinnon

Just to show how much of a bounce back is needed for running back Jerick McKinnon, consider that I still have to use a photo of him in a Minnesota Viking uniform.

McKinnon was meant to be the big weapon acquisition and lead back for Jimmy Garoppolo. A great weapon in the passing game, McKinnon was to shoulder the load at running back for the first time as well.

Tearing his ACL before the start of the season, McKinnon comes back into a crowded running back group which contains the breakout, Matt Breida.

However, concerns over Breida and his ability to handle a full load means there’s a lot of sense in the 49ers using a platoon of running backs this season.

McKinnon is highly rated by head coach Kyle Shanahan, so I expect to see him on the field for third downs, as well as spelling Breida when need be.