Power ranking the 49ers top 10 players entering 2019
By James Jones
No. 7: Matt Breida
Fans were rightfully stricken with concern and sadness last September when running back Jerick McKinnon was lost for the season to a torn ACL. The injury was of the non-contact variety, and once that news broke, it became clear that the newly minted free agent would not play a down in 2018.
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All hope appeared lost.
Enter third-year running back Matt Breida. The former undrafted rookie went on to split time with running backs Alfred Morris and Raheem Mostert last season and filled in admirably for McKinnon. To be honest, admirably might not be the word to do what Breida did in his second-year justice.
Case in point, his numbers when the season came to an end. Although he dealt with injuries to his ankle throughout the year, he still averaged 5.3 yards per carry on 153 runs from scrimmage. He also finished 2018 with 814 yards on the ground.
His numbers make one wonder what he could have accomplished if he had stayed healthy and wasn’t forced to share so much time with his teammates. 2019 might not answer that question, as Shanahan looks to keep his backs fresh this season.
That fact does nothing to take away from the heart and ability Breida brings to the 49ers.