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The odds seem longer and longer that we will see Carlos Hyde play again this season. Hyde was inactive for his fifth straight game, giving him six straight weeks of rehab (including the bye week). San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula was asked on Monday if Hyde would play again this season, and he said, "Honestly, I don't know if Carlos will play this year." Tomsula said he did not want to get too deep into the medical side, and that Hyde did want to try and play, but his tone was not optimistic.
Shaun Draughn got the start once again, and put together another solid effort. Draughn is serving as the team's workhorse back in Hyde's absence. He did not get every single snap this week like he did last week, but he was still productive. He finished with 20 touches, including seven receptions. He is looking best like a complementary option, which will be intriguing to watch heading into the offseason.
I see no real reason to play Hyde and potentially aggravate his foot injury. A running back relies so heavily on his feet, and there is no need to ruin a talented young running back in that manner. The difference with getting Daniel Kilgore back on the game-day roster is that he had not played since October 2014. Hyde was the lead back the first seven weeks, with the injury happening in Week 5. At this point, it makes sense to shut it down and just look ahead to 2016.