Loss of Hunter adds to pressure, but Harbaugh and co. equipped to handle it
The recent news that backup running back Kendall Hunter was lost for the season with an achilles tear serves as a huge blow the 49ers' offense. Now, the Niners not only have to decide on which QB will start moving forward, but they also have to contend with how to replace arguably the best backup/change-of-pace running back in the league.
Hunter was far more than a backup. He served as an ideal complement to Gore with his shifty speed and elusive running. He could also block extremely well for his size, and provided a nice threat out of the backfield.
This injury will test Harbaugh and Roman's mettle but they (along with Baalke) equipped themselves as best they could for a loss such as this one. It's time for Brandon Jacobs, Anthony Dixon and possibly LaMichael James to step up. Still, one may be concerned since none of these running backs have seen the field (or at least not remotely extensively) this season.
Fear not. This is the same coaching staff that cultivated terrific rookie performances from Aldon Smith, Kendall Hunter, Chris Culliver, and Bruce Miller. Miller's story is most telling of this coaching staff's ability to quickly develop talent. In a locked out offseason, Harbaugh and company converted a 7th round defensive end into an NFL fullback that unseated veteran Moran Norris.
Another interesting aspect of Hunter's injury is how, if at all, it will impact the coach's starting QB decision. Does Kaepernick's familiarity and playing time with LaMichael James influence Harbaugh to bump both of them up on the depth chart?
Or does the loss of Hunter compel the 49ers coaching brass to play things safe and familiar and go back to Smith under center?
This is an interesting situation to monitor as the week moves on. Hunter's absence is a significant detriment to this offense any way you slice it, but it will be interesting to see how the roster changes as a result.
The views within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers' George Kittle has sprained MCL and bone bruise but could return for Week 3
By Kirk Larrabee
Sep 20, 2020
The 49ers will be without injured tight end George Kittle against the New York Jets this afternoon but are hopeful he'll be ready to play in time for next week's game against the New York Giants, according to reports from Adam Schefter of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Both reporters weighed in on Kittle's status earlier this morning while also shedding some light on the nature of his injury, which occurred during the 49ers' Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Schefter wrote earlier this morning that Kittle has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his left knee "that would sideline most players for a few weeks" but is showing
George Kittle returns to practice but is limited, Tevin Coleman an IR candidate, other injury updates
By David Bonilla
Sep 23, 2020
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters before Wednesday's practice and provided some good news regarding George Kittle. The All-Pro tight end will return to practice after sustaining an MCL sprain during Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals and missing this past weekend's matchup against the New York Jets. He is, however, expected to be limited.
Kittle's status for Sunday's game against the New York Giants will be dependent on how he looks during practices this week.
Shanahan also noted that running back Tevin Coleman's knee sprain is more severe than Raheem Mostert's knee injury. While Mostert may miss this weekend's game, he is not expected to miss an extended period. Shanahan says Coleman could miss four weeks, though, and that the
49ers eager to get back to work after loss to Cardinals, says Mike McGlinchey
By David Bonilla
Sep 16, 2020
The San Francisco 49ers entered the offseason motivated by February's Super Bowl defeat. Maybe that wasn't enough because the team gained some extra motivation the hard way on Sunday after the Arizona Cardinals pulled off the upset 24-20 win at Levi's Stadium.
The loss forces San Francisco to play catchup with the rest of the division. It is the only NFC West squad that suffered a defeat during Week 1.
The 49ers are back to work this week and beginning preparations for their two-game road trip to the East Coast, where they will face the New York Jets and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in back-to-back weekends.
The team's focus remains on the opponent
