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San Francisco 49ers: Training camp battles to watch at each position

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Patrick Willis #52 works out during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Patrick Willis #52 works out during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 30: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons high steps into the end zone to score in the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 30: Running back Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons high steps into the end zone to score in the third quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

Running Back: Tevin Coleman vs. Jerick McKinnon

Entering training camp last year, running back Jerick McKinnon was going to be a key player to watch. He was one of the 49ers’ high-profile free-agent signings, after all, but a torn ACL prior to Week 1 all but ended hopes of him providing a major impact.

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That ultimately led to fellow runner Matt Breida becoming quite the commodity, and Breida’s spot looks safe. During the offseason, though, the Niners added former Falcons tailback Tevin Coleman, who thrived under Shanahan, previously.

Coleman, like McKinnon, is a versatile pass-catching running back. And given his prior experience under Shanahan, there’s a good chance the former winds up winning the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.

So much for McKinnon being a high-profile player. He could wind up being a role player in 2019.

That said, Shanahan has repeatedly indicated all three runners will determine their roles during training camp. But given the similarities between Coleman and McKinnon, it will be interesting to watch which runner winds up being the starter in Week 1.