Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Alfred Morris out to prove he still belongs with 49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The moment he signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers last Tuesday, Alfred Morris immediately became the most accomplished running back on the roster.

With 5,503 career rushing yards, and 32 rushing touchdowns on a 4.36 yards per carry average in six seasons, Morris' numbers easily trump the combined rushing production of Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Joe Williams, Raheem Mostert, Jeremy McNichols and Jeff Wilson Jr., the six running backs already on the Niners roster. That group, which owns a combined total of 2,419 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on an average of 4.13 yards per carry, features three players (Williams, McNichols and Wilson) who haven't played in an NFL game, one who is known more as a special teamer (Mostert), a second-year, former undrafted free agent (Breida) and a high-priced free agent who is just now getting his first chance to play a starring role in McKinnon.

All of which is to say that, on paper, Morris looks like a good bet to win a spot on the 49ers roster and, potentially, even have a role in the offense. In reality, Morris' previous accomplishments will have little bearing on whether he is able to extend his career in his second go-round with Niners coach Kyle Shanahan.

What will matter is whether Morris can prove he still has enough gas left in the tank in a short period of time to overcome younger, faster backs with upside like Williams and McNichols.

"I’m not done yet," Morris said. "I still have too much juice to give. I was just waiting for the right opportunity because I could have went early on in OTAs or something like that but I was like ‘It’s not right.’ I’m just waiting for an opportunity, and I think this is it. I’m here, so I’m excited and ready to go."

Morris' opportunity came largely as a result of three things: a calf injury to McKinnon, a shoulder injury to Breida and his relationship with Shanahan, who was Morris' offensive coordinator for his first two seasons in the league. The 49ers expect to be without McKinnon and Breida for the rest of the preseason, although both are expected to be ready to go for the regular season opener against Minnesota on Sept. 9. If and when that happens, McKinnon and Breida are slated to be the team's top two backs.

Although it's too early to call him a roster lock, Mostert has the inside track on a spot because of his special teams value. Which means Morris' chances likely come down to whether the Niners keep a fourth back and if he can beat out the likes of Williams and McNichols. That field seemed to shrink again Saturday when Williams suffered a fractured rib that will keep him out at least through the opening week.

For now, the absence of McKinnon and Breida has created plenty of chances for the other backs on the roster to make an impression. Fortunately for Morris, none have seemed to take a firm grasp on that opportunity. In Saturday night's game against the Houston Texans, McNichols got the start and finished with just 28 yards on 10 carries. Williams didn't fare any better, gaining 18 yards on eight carries and mishandling a pass that turned into an interception before his injury was discovered.

Morris, who just signed last week and has only practiced with the 49ers twice, did not appear against the Texans. After a full week of preparation this week, he should get his first chance to get some game reps against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. A solid performance there could quickly thrust him into the mix to win a roster spot, something that would be a welcome sight for those leery of entering the season with two largely unproven backs coming off injuries in the top two spots on the depth chart.

To think Morris could offer that kind of showing in such a short time isn't out of the question, given his ties to Shanahan and his offense. Originally a sixth-round pick by the Washington Redskins in 2012, Morris' time in Shanahan's offense were Morris' two best NFL seasons as he rushed for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2012 and 1,275 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013. 

Suffice to say, Morris knows Shanahan's zone-heavy scheme and won't take long to adapt from an X's and O's standpoint.

"It’s going to be a process," Morris said. "They gave me opportunities to get in there and kind of get my feet wet. That’s good because I need to get my legs back under me. Only football gets you ready for football, no matter how much you train."

That Morris was still available at this point in camp was a bit of a surprise given his track record and the fact that he wasn't dealing with any significant injuries. But Morris said he had a hand in that, passing on chances to go elsewhere because they didn't seem to be a good fit. He worked out for the New York Jets and said other teams reached out in the spring but none felt like the right fit. He'd also previously had discussions with Shanahan about a reunion, but Shanahan didn't want to bring him in unless he felt he could offer him a real chance to win a roster spot.

Now, Morris is getting that chance.

"I do believe he has the chance to make the team here, and that’s all Alf wants," Shanahan said. "He wants a chance to compete, and I think with some of these injuries that we’ve had, now he does have a chance to compete. So, he’s getting in late, but we’ll see how he does over these next few weeks. If he’s running the same way he always has, he’ll have a chance.”

^ Back to Top ^