This week, news broke that the Indianapolis Colts and running back Marlon Mack have mutually agreed to seek a trade. His role has reduced thanks to the presence of Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines.
Mack landed on injured reserve early last season after suffering a torn Achilles. However, he is reportedly completely healthy and seeks a more significant role with a team.
The San Francisco 49ers lost starter Raheem Mostert for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. He is scheduled to become a free agent after this year, and the team is unlikely to make a strong push to bring him back.
The 49ers drafted two running backs this year — Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell replaced Mostert in Week 1 and proceeded to rush for 104 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. However, the rookie suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 and was inactive for this past weekend's game against the Green Bay Packers.
NFL Media analyst Maurice Jones-Drew looked at potential trade partners for Mack, and the former NFL running back is surprised that the 49ers haven't made a move for the Colts running back already.
"To be honest, I'm a little surprised John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan haven't made a trade for Mack yet," explained Jones-Drew. "Through three weeks, the 49ers have already marched out a carousel of running backs, with Raheem Mostert, Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon, JaMycal Hasty and Kyle Juszczyk all taking snaps in the backfield."
Over the past two weeks, San Francisco has struggled to produce a strong rushing attack, a staple of the offense for years. No running back has had more than 42 rushing yards in either of the last two games, and the one who reached that mark was Mitchell in Week 2 before he was hurt.
Hasty is on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. Jeff Wilson started the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Both are expected to return this season. San Francisco currently ranks No. 16 in the league in total rushing yards and No. 25 in rushing yards per attempt.
"Sermon had 10 carries for 31 yards and a TD as the featured back Sunday, but Shanahan's offense, which is averaging 105 rushing yards per game, deserves more production out of the position," Jones-Drew continued. "Kerryon Johnson was promoted to the active roster prior to Week 3, though he didn't get any carries Sunday night. Still, it feels like a no-brainer to trade a late-round pick and secure Mack, a more proven player, as a one-year rental."
Mack has shown that he can be a productive running back. He racked up 1,091 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns for the Colts in 2019 and had 908 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns a season earlier.
Indianapolis made Mack a fourth-round draft pick out of South Florida in 2017.