The San Francisco 49ers are expected to be without running back Carlos Hyde in Week 17, as Adam Schefter is reporting the running back tore his MCL. Although this is significantly better news than a torn ACL, it still means he will miss the final game of the season.
The 49ers backup running back has rotated throughout the season, with DuJuan Harris and Shaun Draughn getting the bulk of the work, and Mike Davis working in on occasion. Draughn has been the backup of late, and odds are good he starts the team’s season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.
Hyde’s injury and the close of this season has me curious though if we actually see second year running back Mike Davis get an opportunity. He has been inactive for seven straight games after getting a bit of work during Hyde’s AC joint sprain. He got an opportunity, and was quickly bumped to the back of the line.
Davis’ future with the 49ers is somewhat unclear at this point. Trent Baalke might be fired, and who knows what that would then mean for Chip Kelly. Baalke has control over the 53-man roster, while Kelly makes the decisions on game-day inactives. If Baalke leaves, does the next GM get rid of Davis? If both Baalke and Kelly are gone, do the next GM and coach give Davis a shot? For the time being, I don’t really know, but given how this season has gone, this could be his last stand in a 49ers uniform.