On Wednesday following the San Francisco 49ers introductory press conference of new head coach Chip Kelly, general manager Trent Baalke confirmed to the media that RB Carlos Hyde indeed had surgery late in the season and is expected to be ready for the team's offseason program.
Hyde suffered a stress fracture in his left foot, causing him to miss nine games this season. He finished 2015 with just 470 yards on 115 carries and three touchdowns.
The injury was discovered by the media just prior to the team's Week 7 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, a game that Hyde would end up playing in.
The team's offseason program begins in April since Kelly is a new head coach. However, the brunt of the offseason program will begin later, giving Hyde enough time to heal before getting on the practice field when the 49ers really need him.
The other running backs on the roster include Shaun Draughn, Reggie Bush, Mike Davis, DuJuan Harris, Jarryd Hayne, and Kendall Gaskins. Draughn and Bush were placed on injured reserve during the season – Bush earlier than Draughn. Both are scheduled to become free agents. The 49ers were impressed with Draughn, feeling that they may have found a solid backup for Hyde once he returns.
Bush has had injury problems over his career and it is unlikely that the team will roll the dice on him a second time.