Bruce Ellington warms up with 49ers running backs

San Francisco 49ers beat writer Cam Inman reported from practice that the team had wide receiver Bruce Ellington warming up with the running backs. The media is only allowed to observe individual work, and then has to clear out for team drills, so we won't get a clear answer on Ellington's role until Sunday.

Earlier in the day, head coach Jim Harbaugh told the media that the 49ers had no plans on signing another running back this week. That leaves the team with Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde as the only running backs on the depth chart. Bruce Miller is there as well, but from a rushing perspective, he would not get additional work.

However, as some have suggested, it is entirely possible the 49ers could use Ellington in a role similar to that of LaMichael James. The 49ers rarely used LMJ, but on Sunday we saw them mix in a couple plays, include what I believe was a triple option. I don't know what the 49ers might have in mind, but Ellington brings a mix of skills that could provide a few interesting wrinkles. Some have suggested work similar to that of Randall Cobb or Cordarrelle Patterson. The 49ers coaches will never let on what his role might be, but I have to think he gets a chance to mix it up a little bit.