49ers running back Jerick McKinnon has suffered a torn ACL, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Earlier today it was reported McKinnon suffered a “concerning” leg injury. The injury “did not look good” a source told Matt Barrows of The Athletic (Twitter link). It now sounds like McKinnon will end up missing the entire season.
If McKinnon does end up missing the year, recent free agent signing Alfred Morris and Matt Breida will fill in. It’s also possible the team could look to add one of the many available veteran backs, like Orleans Darkwa. Kyle Shanahan specifically sought out McKinnon in free agency as a pass-catching back he thought would be great for his offense, and signed him to a massive contract.
McKinnon signed a four-year $30MM contract in March, but hasn’t been able to stay on the field since. He missed the entire preseason with a calf injury, and only returned to conditioning drills earlier this week. Needless to say, this would be a big blow to the 49ers’ new-look offense.
Wow. Unbelievable.
Running game looked weak in the preseason. Now they lost their best running back who’s also a good receiving back. All on Jimmy’s shoulders again. He didn’t have that good of a rushing game with him last year and looks like it will be the same TOs year
Talk Demarco out of retirement
Should have kept Hyde
Yep
Mike Gillisee would also be a nice replacement for McKinnon.
McKinnon was specifically sought out as a “pass catching back” and considering Mike Gillisee has a combined 16 catches in 5 years on what planet is Gillisee a nice replacement for McKinnon lol he is actually the exact opposite type of back McKinnon is…..
Jerrick is a terrific running back. I’ve been a big fan of his since his rookie year. I was looking forward to seeing what he could have done as a featured running back. This is just too bad.
Jerrick is such a great young man as well as his parents that we meet in Tennessee his rookie year. Pray that he makes a full recovery. Tough loss for the Niners
Big oof for him and oof for early preseason fantasy drafts
Yup, just dropped him. Now have an open spot
Hate to say it but I saw this coming. That was a dumb contract, he’s never been able to stay healthy long. He’s to small/brittle to be a feature back..
I tend to agree the odds of him living up to that contract were slim without missing the first year of it.
I think KC would be a good team to talk to at this time. See what it would take to get Ware in a trade. Charcandrick West was also released by the Jets. Might be worth kicking the tires on.