One of many big questions for the San Francisco 49ers is what to make of Carlos Hyde's foot injury. The running back suffered a stress fracture, and after a delay, had surgery in December to insert a screw in his left foot in his foot. On Wednesday, Hyde told the media that his foot is good to go, and he could play if there was a game today.
"My foot's feeling great. I'm ready to go," Hyde said Wednesday. "I'm already familiar with this type of offense. I played it (at Ohio State), the up-tempo, no-huddle offense. I'm excited to be in it."
During the NFL Combine, general manager Trent Baalke said at that point, Hyde was making good progress but was not game ready yet. I'm sure Hyde is more optimistic than anybody about his status, so we should take his comments with a certain grain of salt. When the team begins on-field work in the next couple weeks, we'll get a better idea of how involved he is, and how much work he is putting on his foot.
Hyde also confirmed he's lost some weight, dropping down to 225 pounds after being listed at 235 last season.
"I spent my offseason just getting my body right, slimming down. I saw that in reports that I was slimming down for the offense," Hyde said. "I don't want to be weighing too much. I want to be slim for a change, something different."
Hyde might be the No. 1 back this coming season, but it seems safe to say that a lot of running backs will get work. You could argue the team is as deep there as any position (safety has some serious depth following Tartt's starting run last year). Guys like DuJuan Harris and Shaun Draughn both stepped up following various injuries, Jarryd Hayne is entering year two, and let's not forget fourth round pick Mike Davis.
The team does not have to worry about Hyde being the old school bell-cow running back. He is a punishing runner, and that physical style will require some monitoring. Having this kind of depth will help with that.