Typically the third running back on an NFL roster isn’t a player of much consequence. For the 49ers, a team with injury issues at the position in each of the last few seasons, that spot on the depth chart is pretty important. According to running backs coach Anthony Lynn, there’s one key component that could determine what direction the 49ers go with that spot on game days.
Last season special teams played a sizable role in the 49ers’ running back depth chart. This year the RB group looks significantly different. Christian McCaffrey will be the No. 1 back beginning in Week 1 with Elijah Mitchell behind him. Roster spots beyond that are up for grabs, and according to Lynn, McCaffrey’s arrival has pushed pass catching up the list of priorities for the 49ers running backs.
