Niner Noise
FanSided

6 49ers who improved roster chances in preseason win vs. Chiefs

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. #41 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball during the second half of a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. #41 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball during the second half of a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 24: Jeff Wilson, Jr. carries the ball into the endzone for a touchdown as cornerback Herb Miller #34 of the Kansas City Chiefs defends during the preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 24: Jeff Wilson, Jr. carries the ball into the endzone for a touchdown as cornerback Herb Miller #34 of the Kansas City Chiefs defends during the preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Running Back Jeff Wilson

If second-year running back Jeff Wilson winds up making the 49ers’ 53-man roster in 2019, it will still have to be due to a number of other circumstances and not just his on-field play Saturday night.

San Francisco is already crowded here, particularly after adding the veteran, Tevin Coleman, via free agency this offseason. But with fellow running back Jerick McKinnon still on the mend after tearing his ACL a year ago, there’s an outside chance Wilson winds up making the cut.

Especially after he was a second-half offensive force Saturday night against the Chiefs.

Wilson led all Niners rushers with 45 yards. And while he only averaged 3.8 yards per carry, Wilson continued to showcase a solid ability to pick up tough yards within a crowd.

His second touchdown in Kansas City, which ensured the 49ers would come away with the win, demonstrated this prowess nicely:

Even if McKinnon is shelved early on injured reserve this season, likely with a designation to return, it doesn’t automatically mean Wilson gets the nod. Kyle Shanahan could elect to use the extra spot to add another key player.

Still, Wilson offers up a skill not totally common among other 49ers ball carriers: the ability to pick up those short-area gains, like he did on the touchdown rush.