Linebacker Kwon Alexander has been impressed by running back Jerick McKinnon, who is attempting to make his San Francisco 49ers debut after signing with the team in 2018 but missing the last two seasons with an ACL injury and a setback that followed.
"He's been working real hard, been grinding," Alexander told reporters via a video conference call after Sunday's practice. "You can tell, when he gets out there, his cuts is precise. Everything is on-point."
McKinnon took a pay cut to remain with the 49ers this season and prove he can be the player head coach Kyle Shanahan coveted two years ago. The running back was asked on Sunday about that decision.
"When I first came here, there was something special about this organization and what they had going on and the momentum they had coming off that last (2017) season," McKinnon explained. "That's why I came. A lot of young guys, hungry guys, guys that work hard, playing for Coach Shanahan; all those things are the reasons why I came here.
"It wasn't really about the money. When things came up about restructuring my contract, it wasn't really that big of a deal for me. It was just about proving why I came here and just trying to get back on the field and showcase my talents."
McKinnon is now two years removed from his injury and feeling healthy. That could bode well for the 49ers group of running backs.
"The health is good," McKinnon commented. "Every day's a new day, and for me, it's about stacking the days one after another, learn as much as I can, knocking off that rust from not playing in two years, just putting myself in those game-time situations in practice.
"We don't have a preseason and stuff like that, so every day, I have to put myself in those extreme situations and environments in my head to make it feel like a game-time situation because the first chance that I'm going to get coming back is going to be game one. It's going to be a real game. It's not going to be a scrimmage or practice or something like that, so I have to start now."