Bruce Arians: Carlos Hyde among top six or seven running backs in the NFL

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde is in the final year of his contract and isn't having the season he originally envisioned. Hyde's 453 yards rushing this season ranks 14th among NFL running backs.

Through the 49ers' first three games, Hyde was on pace to finish the season with 1,349 rushing yards. Through eight games, he is not even on pace to break 1,000 yards rushing. Hyde has never had a 1,000-yard season in his NFL career. He came close last season, coming within 12 yards of the milestone, but a Week 16 injury against the Los Angeles Rams ended the chase.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians jumped on a conference call with Bay Area media and continued to speak highly of the 49ers running back, which he always has. Arians was asked why Hyde has failed to break through as a premier running back. Arians already feels that he is one.

"I think he's one of the top six, seven backs in the league," Arians said. "He's big, he's active, he runs behind his pads, he catches the ball well. He's a three-down player. I think it's just opportunities. When you get behind in the second half, you're throwing the ball more. So yeah, I think it's opportunities, but he's where we start every time we play. We have to stop him first.

To go along with his 453 rushing yards on 112 carries this season, Hyde also has four rushing touchdowns and 31 receptions for 184 yards. There have been mixed reports regarding Hyde's future in San Francisco with some saying the running back has been on the trading block while others are saying the 49ers are trying to work on a contract extension.