Niner Noise
FanSided

5 biggest surprises from 49ers initial 2019 53-man roster

By Robert Morrison

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Adrian Colbert #38 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Adrian Colbert #38 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Running Back Jeff Wilson Jr. #41 of the San Francisco 49ers gives a stiff arm to linebacker Justin Hollins #52 of the Denver Broncos as he rushes in the third quarter 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: Running Back Jeff Wilson Jr. #41 of the San Francisco 49ers gives a stiff arm to linebacker Justin Hollins #52 of the Denver Broncos as he rushes in the third quarter 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) /

No. 3: Cutting RB Jeff Wilson, Jr.

Running back Jeff Wilson, Jr. made a lot of noise for the 49ers during the preseason. Making the best of his opportunities, he finished the four games with 41 carries for 178 yards and four touchdowns, a large chunk of which came in Week 4 against the Chargers.

This was most unusual, because the at-the-time unknown nature of running back Jerick McKinnon’s injury led many to believe that Wilson was essentially a lock to make the roster.

And then the roster announcement came and Wilson was left off the 53, while at the same time McKinnon was placed on the year-long IR.

Unlike the situation with Kentavius Street, where the 49ers thought they could keep the defensive lineman around in hopes that he could contribute late in the season, McKinnon’s situation meant he didn’t have to be placed on the 53-man roster, which could have made room for Wilson if the team had wanted to keep him around.

There are a lot of factors which could have played into Wilson being cut, then, including Kyle Shanahan’s faith in running backs coach Bobby Turner to get production out of just about any running back, making Wilson a little expendable, and also the head coach’s insistence on keeping more players at other positions, such as quarterback.

And just like with Damontre Moore, Wilson certainly played well enough during the preseason to warrant attention from other teams in need of running back help. So letting Wilson go, even if they want to bring him back once they sort out more of the roster, could mean they miss out on him altogether.