The 49ers are looking to add another body to the backfield. As running back Elijah Mitchell nurses an abductor injury that is likely to hold him out of practices for another week, the team has worked out a host of backs to replace his lost reps, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
Some of these names are a bit more recognizable than others.
The first former 49er on that list is Jeremy McNichols. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fifth round out of Boise State back in 2017, before catching on with the 49ers for a couple of games. He’s since bounced around, getting game action with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018, the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, and the Tennessee Titans in 2020 and 2021. He faced the 49ers in that 2021 season, rushing seven times for 31 yards.
After him, there’s Brian Hill, who also spent time with the 49ers briefly, back in 2021. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round back in 2017. His best season came with Atlanta in 2020, when he had 465 yards and a touchdown on 100 rushing attempts.
Duke Johnson is the most senior name on the list. He was drafted 77th overall by the Cleveland Browns and spent four years there before spending a couple with the Houston Texans, and the last two with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, respectively. His 2,265 career rushing yards and 11 touchdowns are the most on the list.
Lastly, there’s Jason Huntley, a former Philadelphia Eagle who has 18 career carries for 70 yards. He was a fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions back in 2020.