Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
49ers training camp preview: Running backs
Share This Post
Comments
Friday, July 18, 2014 - 12:45pm
Follow @maioccocsn

Editor’s note: Matt Maiocco will be providing position-by-position breakdowns each day leading up to 49ers training camp. The full squad will report on July 23, with the first practice day scheduled for July 24. This afternoon, Matt focuses on the running backs.

Who they have: Frank Gore, Bruce Miller, Kendall Hunter, Carlos Hyde, Marcus Lattimore, LaMichael James, Jewel Hampton, Will Tukuafu, Trey Millard.

Who they lost: Anthony Dixon.

Looking back: Gore turned 30, but the 49ers did not turn the page on the man who first earned the job as the team’s featured back in 2006. In fact, it was just the opposite.

Gore played more than 75 percent of the 49ers’ offensive snaps during the regular season. He rushed for 1,128 yards and nine touchdowns, but he was equally valuable to the 49ers as a blocker in passing situations. That’s why he rarely came off the field.

Gore’s playing time rose in each of Jim Harbaugh’s first three seasons as head coach. Backup Kendall Hunter played just 19.17 percent of the time last season as he returned from a torn Achilles from the previous season. Hunter gained 358 yards with a solid 4.5-yard average.

[RELATED: Don't count out a particular 49ers running back]

Dixon played 80 snaps the entire season, mostly as a short-yardage option or when the 49ers were comfortably ahead. Meanwhile, LaMichael James saw just 28 total snaps on offense on the season, and has yet to earn any significant role on offense.

Miller had an outstanding season at the fullback position before sustaining a broken shoulder blade late in the year.

Overall outlook: The 49ers have good depth, and might finally start to use multiple running backs. Hyde was chosen in the second round of the draft, which provides a clear indication that they believe he is capable of eventually taking over for Gore. Lattimore will get plenty of opportunities to prove he is back from a severe knee injury he sustained during his final season at South Carolina. Lattimore was placed on the non-football injury list upon reporting to camp, but that is not an indication of any setback. It's merely a procedural move, and Lattimore is expected to be on the field when the team begins full-squad practices after the veterans report.

[RELATED: Lattimore among eight 49ers on NFI or PUP lists]

Camp competition: Coming off what both Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke described as an “A-plus-plus” season, Gore appears to be solid in his standing as the starter. After that, the depth chart will be sorted out through competition in training camp. Hyde and Lattimore will have to prove their worth in pass protection in order to take the backup job away from Hunter. If everyone remains healthy in training camp, the 49ers could look to trade a running back just before the final round of cuts.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Lincecum 'in the driver's seat', disappointed with mistake
Bochy thought Lincecum pitched great, tough to lose on wild pitch
Bochy doesn't how long Belt will need to go on DL with concussion
Meet the Rookies: Raiders QB Derek Carr

Giants

Rewind: Too many drags in lineup cost Giants in Miami
Brandon Belt has concussion, headed back to DL
Instant Replay: Wild pitch costs Giants, Marlins win 3-2
Giants lineup: Posey at first, Arias at shortstop
Read More

Athletics

Instant Replay: A's offense explodes as Gray stifles O's
A's notes: Reddick to return 'soon,' etc.
A's lineup: Jaso behind plate, Vogt at first
Rewind: Hammel struggling to find his groove with A's
Read More

Sharks

Demers rewarded by Sharks for strong bounce-back season
Sharks sign Jason Demers for two years
Sharks re-sign Tennyson, ink forwards Lerg, Haley
Sharks re-sign defenseman Hannan to one-year deal
Read More

49ers

49ers training camp preview: Offensive line
Five former NFL players sue union over concussions
Williams joins list of 49ers on PUP or NFI
49ers training camp preview: Specialists
Read More

Raiders

Raiders training camp preview: Offensive line
Meet the Rookies: Raiders QB Derek Carr
Raiders training camp preview: Specialists
Raiders training camp preview: Running backs
Read More

Warriors

Summer League: Warriors drop finale to Bucks 79-74
At this juncture, W's would err if deal Thompson for Love
Report: Cavs exploring Bennett & Wiggins for Love deal
Report: T'Wolves prefer Thompson over Wiggins in Love trade
Read More

NCAA

NFL reduces number of players entering the draft
NCAA recommends limited contact during football practices
Barbour steps down, Cal names former wrestler interim AD
Report: Barbour stepping down as Cal AD
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly
  • Amy G
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Too many drags in lineup cost Giants in Miami
(9)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Brandon Belt has concussion, headed back to DL
Instant Replay: Wild pitch costs Giants, Marlins win 3-2
(14)
See more >

More Stories

Giants lineup: Posey at first, Arias at shortstop
(3)
Giants notes: No roster move yet for Brandon Belt
(1)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Lincecum 'in the driver's seat', disappointed with mistake
Lincecum 'in the driver's seat', disappointed with mistake
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Too many drags in lineup cost Giants in Miami
  • Brandon Belt has concussion, headed back to DL
  • Instant Replay: Wild pitch costs Giants, Marlins win 3-2
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: A's offense explodes as Gray stifles O's
(1)
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

A's notes: Reddick to return 'soon,' etc.
A's lineup: Jaso behind plate, Vogt at first
(1)
See more >

More Stories

Rewind: Hammel struggling to find his groove with A's
(3)
Instant Replay: Tough start for Hammel, A's fall to Orioles
(2)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Toe the Rubber: Kevin Gausman vs. Sonny Gray
Toe the Rubber: Kevin Gausman vs. Sonny Gray
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Bochy: Sandoval 'bouncing around like a cat'
  • Vogelsong returns to form in win over Pirates
  • Instant Replay: Vogelsong helps Giants salvage series split
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Demers rewarded by Sharks for strong bounce-back season
(2)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Sharks sign Jason Demers for two years
(15)
Sharks re-sign Tennyson, ink forwards Lerg, Haley
See more >

More Stories

Sharks re-sign defenseman Hannan to one-year deal
(6)
Ex-Shark Heatley inks one-year deal with Anaheim
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Sharks select scoring winger Nikolay Goldobin
Sharks select scoring winger Nikolay Goldobin
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Demers rewarded by Sharks for strong bounce-back season
  • Sharks sign Jason Demers for two years
  • Sharks' Sheppard gets chance to build on strong '14 finish
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Summer League: Warriors drop finale to Bucks 79-74
(5)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

At this juncture, W's would err if deal Thompson for Love
(105)
Report: Cavs exploring Bennett & Wiggins for Love deal
(22)
See more >

more stories

Report: T'Wolves prefer Thompson over Wiggins in Love trade
(79)
Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (7.18.14)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Kerr analyzes Holiday's game-winning shot vs. Suns
Kerr analyzes Holiday's game-winning shot vs. Suns
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • At this juncture, W's would err if deal Thompson for Love
  • Report: Brandon Rush returns to Warriors
  • Kerr: It's important for me to be in command
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Rams LB Dunbar, ex-King Greene arrested in South Beach
ProFootballTalk

More Stories

Kings beat Bulls 80-61, advance to semifinals
(1)
Report: 'No legs' to Kings, Pistons trade talks for Smith
(2)
See more >

More Stories

Former Kings G Fredette signs with Pelicans
(1)
Cousins: 'I dislike CP a lot'
(8)
See more >

Kings Video

Vivek Ranadive and Pete D'Alessandro introduce Nik Stauskas
Vivek Ranadive and Pete D'Alessandro introduce Nik Stauskas
See more >

Fantasy Hoops

  • Fantasy news, analysis, draft guide, cheatsheets, projections & more
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

49ers training camp preview: Offensive line
(11)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Five former NFL players sue union over concussions
(1)
Williams joins list of 49ers on PUP or NFI
(7)
See more >

More stories

49ers training camp preview: Specialists
(6)
Meet the Rookies: 49ers WR Bruce Ellington
(8)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Meet the Rookies: 49ers WR Bruce Ellington
Meet the Rookies: 49ers WR Bruce Ellington
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders training camp preview: Offensive line
(1)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Meet the Rookies: Raiders QB Derek Carr
(3)
Raiders training camp preview: Specialists
(2)
See more >

More Stories

Raiders training camp preview: Running backs
Marcus Allen: Raiders should move back to LA
(28)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

Meet the Rookies: Raiders QB Derek Carr
Meet the Rookies: Raiders QB Derek Carr
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Raiders training camp preview: Offensive line
  • Meet the Rookies: Raiders QB Derek Carr
  • Raiders training camp preview: Specialists
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Quakes score late, draw 1-1 with the Red Bulls
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

USMNT drops two places in FIFA standings
(1)
World Cup final most-watched soccer game in U.S. history
(1)
See more >

Quakes Video

Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
Wondolowski reflects on his World Cup experience
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Rewind: Too many drags in lineup cost Giants in Miami
(9)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

At this juncture, W's would err if deal Thompson for Love
(105)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers training camp preview: Offensive line
(11)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders training camp preview: Offensive line
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Demers rewarded by Sharks for strong bounce-back season
(2)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

Instant Replay: A's offense explodes as Gray stifles O's
(1)
See more >

RAY RATTO

49ers, Raiders don't live in Goodell's fantasy world

TOP STORIES

  • SaberCats winning streak snapped in 42-20 loss to Soul
  • Instant Replay: A's offense explodes as Gray stifles O's
  • Rewind: Too many drags in lineup cost Giants in Miami

Say Hey Tuesdays

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

NFL reduces number of players entering the draft
NCAA recommends limited contact during football practices

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Lincecum 'in the driver's seat', disappointed with mistake
Lincecum 'in the driver's seat', disappointed with mistake
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California