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49ers vs. Broncos: 5 top performances from preseason Week 2

By Robert Morrison

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by tight end Tyree Mayfield #48 after a fourth quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by tight end Tyree Mayfield #48 after a fourth quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Running back Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown as defensive back Trey Marshall #36 of the Denver Broncos gives chase during the third quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Running back Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown as defensive back Trey Marshall #36 of the Denver Broncos gives chase during the third quarter of a preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Running Back Raheem Mostert

With running back Jerick McKinnon still recovering from last season’s ACL repair, and Kyle Shanahan and his coaching staff essentially stashing Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida for the preseason, there have been plenty of opportunities for other players to shine at that position.

Last week, it was Austin Walter and Brandon Wilds getting the bulk of the carries. But against the Broncos, Shanahan opted to lean on two backs who got plenty of time last season with McKinnon out and Breida often not at 100 percent health.

Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson got plenty of chances on Monday night (the former had eight total touches, the latter had ten), but it was Mostert who made more of what he got. The journeyman running back finished with six carries for 58 yards on the ground (9.7 per rush), along with two catches for 42 yards (21 per catch) and one touchdown.

It has almost been a given that Mostert was going to make the final roster, mostly for his propensity as a gunner on special teams, but with McKinnon’s immediate future being so uncertain, Mostert may get more opportunities to touch the ball during the regular season.

He showed himself capable of doing so in limited time last year, as he racked up 261 yards on just 34 carries (7.7 yards per rush) before being placed on IR after a horrific arm break against the Oakland Raiders last season.

The former undrafted free agent out of Purdue has made the most of his chances with the 49ers when he’s had them, and if Monday night is any indication, he’s got the ability to use his speed and vision to turn good gains into touchdowns.

Next. 49ers vs. Broncos: Preseason Week 2 grades and analysis for San Francisco. dark

He’ll have to use the rest of the preseason to continue to make his case for carries while McKinnon remains inactive. Monday’s performance was a good step in the right direction.