San Francisco 49ers running back Kendall Hunter has plenty of competition behind workhorse Frank Gore, as young guns like Carlos Hyde and Marcus Lattimore have major talent and aspirations. It already looks like Hyde is locked in to be the team’s No. 2 back, as the 49ers took him in the second round for a reason and believe he can be a great back by forming a fearsome 1-2 punch with Gore.
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Hunter is still the 49ers No. 2 running back on the depth chart until beaten, but it looks like an unfortunate training camp injury may have something to say about that. The 25-year-old Oklahoma State product went down with a leg injury during yesterday’s practice, and it looked like it could potentially be serious. Now, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the 49ers are worried that Hunter’s knee injury could be “significant”. Per Rapoport, Hunter landed “awkwardly” on his knee, and the Niners are currently waiting for MRI results.
We can only hope that Hunter avoids a significant injury, but at least the 49ers have plenty of depth and young, explosive talent at the position. A quality No. 2 back, Hunter averaged 4.2, 5.4, and 4.6 yards per carry in his first three seasons with seven career touchdowns and 27 career receptions. His yards from scrimmage totals have dropped off in each consecutive season, as his career-highs in everything except for TDs were set as a rookie.