Niner Noise
FanSided

Cowboys vs. 49ers: Stock up and stock down after preseason Week 1

By Jeremy Wohlfart

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 10: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys gets tackled from behind by Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 10: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys gets tackled from behind by Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 25: Austin Walter #2 of the Rice Owls celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter as Jaylen Harris #23 of the Prairie View A&M Panthers reacts at Rice Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 25: Austin Walter #2 of the Rice Owls celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter as Jaylen Harris #23 of the Prairie View A&M Panthers reacts at Rice Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Stock up: Austin Walter

Don’t look now, but there’s a possible undrafted free agent nobody saw coming that may make the Niners’ roster.

If Jerick McKinnon starts the season on injured reserve (which head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted is a possibility), the 49ers may still elect to keep four running backs on the roster.

This opens up a massive roster spot, given how frail the 49ers have been at the position and how the team is looking to run the ball via committee, and Austin Walter did himself every favor.

The stats don’t stand out at you at first glance, with 13 carries for only 38 yards and five catches for 32 yards (off six targets), but they don’t tell the whole story.

Walters was fast, agile and displayed some very good hands catching passes out of the backfield. He didn’t look like a “home run” type of running back, but he looked like he could carve out a niche as a fourth running back who could be called upon in case of injury to play a significant role.

At worst, Walter improved his chances massively of getting onto San Francisco’s practice squad.