49ers training camp roster: Updated bubble watch after first week
By Peter Panacy
49ers Running Backs
Lock: Kyle Juszczyk, Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon, Raheem Mostert
Strong Bubble: Jeff Wilson Jr.
Weak Bubble: Salvon Ahmed*, JaMycal Hasty*
Long Shot: Josh Hokit*
Again, the Niners running back room is awfully crowded heading towards Week 1.
True, the offseason trade of Matt Breida to the Miami Dolphins cleared up a spot, but that’s been occupied by Jerick McKinnon, who returns from a two-year injury absence.
McKinnon has looked sharp in training camp, which gives Kyle Shanahan a new dimension to his offensive, both on the ground and through the air. Yet McKinnon’s presence and apparently full recovery also points to undrafted rookie runner JaMycal Hasty having an uphill climb to make the 53-man roster.
Hasty and fellow rookie Salvon Ahmed have had their moments in training camp, yes. But it’s hard to find room for either player unless fourth-string running back Jeff Wilson can’t make the cut.
San Francisco knows what it has in Wilson, however, and he offers much more in the short-area game than either of the two rookies.
The 49ers may consider using the practice squad to develop fullback Josh Hokit as a possible replacement for the perennial Pro Bowler, Kyle Juszczyk, who is a free agent in 2021.