Niner Noise
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5 49ers players who need to stay healthy in 2019

By Aaron Tan

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State speaks to the media after being selected with the second pick in the first round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State speaks to the media after being selected with the second pick in the first round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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49ers running back Jerick McKinnon
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. 5: Running Back Jerick McKinnon

Running back Jerick McKinnon suffered a torn ACL right before the 2018 season, placing a dent on the sky-high expectations that were set upon the 49ers last season. McKinnon was one of general manager John Lynch’s splash signings in the 2018 free agency period, being an electric and shifty running back who would fit perfectly in Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Shanahan himself said McKinnon’s injury changed a lot of how the offense was going to be run in 2018. The 49ers’ head coach had big plans for McKinnon — he was the X-factor who was going to kick this offense into a whole new gear.

The Niners clearly missed McKinnon last season. But the silver lining was that the injury paved the way for the previously undrafted Matt Breida to step into a featured role and prove that he had the talent to be a starter in this league.

With the signing of Tevin Coleman in this year’s free agency period, the 49ers are loaded at running back with Breida and Coleman, to go along with the healing McKinnon.

It may be odd to place McKinnon on this list with so much depth at running back, but we still have not seen the ex-Minnesota Viking play in Shanahan’s offense. With how well he fits in the system, McKinnon could very well single-handedly make this offense explosive.

And for that reason alone, the 49ers need to make sure that he stays healthy in 2019.