3 bubble players who deserve to make 49ers 53-man roster

49ers Bubble Player No. 3: Running Back JaMycal Hasty

The 49ers have a provocative battle taking place at running back, and it’s even one that hasn’t needed to include the presumed starting two players on the depth chart, Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon.

In preseason Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Niners dressed only two running backs, Wayne Gallman and second-year pro JaMycal Hasty. This was essentially a way for Kyle Shanahan to determine who of the two deserved what’ll likely be the final spot on a four-man depth chart.

Well, both players impressed. But Gallman, who led the team with 72 yards on 15 carries, probably got the edge because of his 4.8 yards-per-carry average and exemplary showing in pass blocking.

Not to be outdone, though, Hasty was the player Shanahan called upon to grind down the clock late in the fourth quarter, finishing with 58 rush yards of his own on 19 attempts.

Hasty now has 121 rush yards over two exhibition games and is averaging 4.2 yards per carry, which isn’t bad for a player thought to be the No. 6 option on the original offseason depth chart that also included Jeff Wilson Jr. and Elijah Mitchell, who are now both injured.

Depending on Mitchell’s status, Hasty might be able to join Gallman on the back end here.

Hasty certainly deserves it, and it’s not likely the Niners can stash him on the practice squad now.