The San Francisco 49ers' first-team offense wasn't able to find the end zone during its preseason bout versus the Indianapolis Colts. But veteran running back Alfred Morris was a major bright spot in his Niners debut.
How much did 29-year-old veteran running back Alfred Morris have left in the tank when the San Francisco 49ers offered him a one-year contract earlier this month?
In a way, Morris benefited from the Niners' attrition at the position. Earlier, head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad lost top runners Jerick McKinnon (calf) and Matt Breida (shoulder) to injuries that would likely keep them out for the remainder of the 2018 preseason. So Shanahan made a simple choice -- reach out to a running back who had sizable success in his offense, Morris.
Morris played under Shanahan when both were with the Washington Redskins in 2012 and 2013. While there, Morris' numbers were pretty astounding -- boasting over 1,600 rush yards his rookie season and 1,275 in 2013. And after making his way to the Dallas Cowboys and backing up Ezekiel Elliott the last two seasons, it makes sense why Shanahan felt Morris still had some gas left in the tank.
"I've got an opportunity. That's what Kyle told me coming here," Morris told KPIX 5's Dennis O'Donnell following the 49ers' 23-17 preseason loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. "So I just made the most of my opportunity. I definitely have plenty left in the tank, and that's why in free agency I wasn't rushed to jump on a team just out of desperation."
A year ago, when Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took over, the duo made it a point to grab free-agent players familiar with Shanahan's complex offensive system. Players like wide receivers Pierre Garçon and Aldrick Robinson were essential in providing an understanding of the scheme to a predominantly younger crop of players in 2017.
With Morris, there was little to learn.
"It really wasn't the offense, it was the opportunity part," Morris added when asked if understanding Shanahan's system was a deciding factor. "I went from Washington, being a starter every game my first four years, to being a backup [in Dallas] to being inactive. So my path just kind of took a turn I didn't think it would take. So when Kyle said it would be an opportunity, I knew he meant it."
Both McKinnon and Breida should be ready to go for San Francisco's Week 1 opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 9. Assuming Shanahan keeps just three runners on his 53-man roster, that would leave the remaining spot up for grabs between Morris, Joe Williams (out with a rib/hip injury) and special teams ace Raheem Mostert, most likely.
And what did Morris do to help cement his role as part of that 53-man roster? Just rush for 84 yards on 17 carries for an average of 4.9 yards per attempt.
When asked if he made the team after his performance, Morris responded, "I hope so. But if not, I'll go out there and do my best next week. You just never know in this business."
Based off his efforts from this particular contest, it's hard to say he's on the outside, looking in.
Speaking of next week, the Niners host the Los Angles Chargers in both teams' fourth and final preseason bout of 2018.
