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San Francisco 49ers: 10 players to watch during 2019 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: San Francisco 49ers stretch during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: San Francisco 49ers stretch during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers injured RB Jerick McKinnon
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 24: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 24, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

No. 7: Running Back Jerick McKinnon

Another player coming off a 2018 injury. Notice a trend here?

Running back Jerick McKinnon has yet to take a regular-season snap for the 49ers, having suffered a season-ending ACL tear before Week 1 even kicked off. He was intended to be a vital dual-purpose weapon for Kyle Shanahan, and McKinnon’s absence forced the head coach to make some significant tweaks on offense.

Heading into 2019, the context is quite different. San Francisco received some excellent and unexpected production from McKinnon’s backup, Matt Breida, then added Shanahan’s former runner with the Atlanta Falcons, Tevin Coleman, in free agency.

Coleman and McKinnon have similar skill sets. And with McKinnon yet to be cleared and having missed both organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, Coleman received the lion’s share of first-team reps already.

How will McKinnon respond once he’s ready to go?

Shanahan told reporters each of his running backs will determine their own roles this season. With McKinnon, it’s somewhat unclear, meaning his efforts in training camp will be crucial to determining whatever role that will be in 2019.