Saturday's preseason contest between the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts saw a lot of veteran running back Alfred Morris, who increased his chances of making the 53-man roster this season.
Veteran running back Alfred Morris, one of the newer members of the San Francisco 49ers, didn't take long to cement himself as a legitimate candidate on head coach Kyle Shanahan's 53-man roster in 2018.
With top runners Jerick McKinnon (calf) and Matt Breida (shoulder) both out for the Niners' third preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, Shanahan gave the 29-year-old Morris the start in what's generally viewed as each team's best regular-season tuneup.
Morris didn't disappoint either.
Over the first half, the veteran tailback managed 71 yards on 13 carries and averaged 5.5 yards per attempt. And while he received some excellent run-blocking support from San Francisco's offensive line, Morris' vision and hard-hitting ability certainly looked promising for his roster chances.
Alfred Morris projected 2018 rushing total: 3,731 yards.
McKinnon and, most likely, Breida are guaranteed roster spots. And with second-year tailback Joe Williams sidelined with a rib and hip injury, the battle for the No. 3 tailback spot on the running back depth chart comes down to between Morris and special teams ace Raheem Mostert.
The Niners lack a true in-between-the-tackles, third-down tailback. Morris appears to have flashed all the traits necessary to fill such a role.
It would be a shock if he doesn't wind up on the 53-man roster this season.
Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
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