SF 49ers: 3 players Kyle Shanahan will call on most amid injuries

No. 3: SF 49ers Running Back Jerick McKinnon

With injuries to running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon is now the lead back in the 49ers offense. McKinnon’s debut with the 49ers was delayed for two seasons due to his own injury in 2018.

He finally made his debut in Week 1 of 2020 against the Arizona Cardinals. He went on to score a touchdown in each of the first four games of the season. He has put in work both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. Kyle Shanahan tried giving McKinnon a bit of a break versus New England, letting Jeff Wilson shoulder the workload, but that attempt was thwarted when Wilson suffered his own injury.

McKinnon only had 10 carries total in the last three games, but that should change. With Mostert still shelved on IR, and Wilson likely joining him, McKinnon will be getting an increase in looks in the upcoming games.

He also hasn’t seen the end zone since Week 4, but that is another stat that should change soon, too.

McKinnon should have upwards of 15 carries per game in the next two to three weeks. Shanahan will lean on him to be the main back of the SF 49ers offense in the weeks to come. Look for him to also have his fair share of passes thrown his way.