San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman is likely headed for the injured reserve.
Kyle Shanahan said Coleman will probably be placed on IR, given he is expected to miss at least four weeks due to a knee injury sustained in the team's Week 2 win over the New York Jets.
49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan said RB Tevin Coleman likely will go on injured reserve with a knee injury that could keep him out at least four weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2020
The 49ers' backfield depth has been a team strength in recent years, with Shanahan implementing a power run scheme. But that depth will be tested with Coleman on the shelf.
Raheem Mostert is week-to-week after suffering an MCL sprain and will not play Sunday against the New York Giants. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the team is optimistic it will not be a long-term absence, but the Niners are still down their top two running backs.
Fortunately for San Francisco, third-string back Jerick McKinnon has looked explosive in the early goings after missing the entirety of the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
McKinnon tallied 24 yards on three carries in Week 1, and also had three receptions for 20 yards and a score. Week 2 was a nice encore, as McKinnon rushed three times for 77 yards after Mostert and Coleman went down.
It would seem McKinnon is in line for more carries following the loss of both Mostert and Coleman.
Shanahan has deployed Coleman as his top red zone option in the past, though Mostert had looked more and more like the feature back through the first two weeks.
But Coleman will be out for at least four weeks, and the Niners will need to find a way to punch the ball in without him on the field. Perhaps McKinnon can be productive and efficient with his touches as San Francisco looks to overcome a host of big injuries.
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