Joined by Coleman in busy backfield

The 49ers signed Tevin Coleman to join McKinnon (knee) and Matt Breida (ankle) at running back, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: Speaking a couple weeks ago, coach Kyle Shanahan said he expects McKinnon to handle the lead backfield job in 2019, with the prized signing from last offseason making good progress in his recovery from the ACL tear he suffered Sept. 1. The addition of Coleman creates some doubt about the 49ers' confidence in Breida and McKinnon, but there hasn't been any suggestion the latter is in danger of being released before Apr. 1 when his 2019 base salary ($3.7 million) will become guaranteed. Assuming…read more

Expected to take starting job

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects McKinnon (knee) to handle the lead role in the 49ers' backfield in 2019, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Analysis: It's an odd comment given that McKinnon has yet to play a game for the team, and especially after Matt Breida (ankle) finished fourth in the NFL with an average of 5.3 yards per carry in 2018. The 49ers signed McKinnon to a four-year, $30 million contract last offseason, but the structure of the deal makes it relatively painless to release him after 2019. With all reports suggesting McKinnon is on or ahead of schedule in his rehab from a preseason ACL tear, the most likely scenario features the…read more

Ahead of schedule

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said McKinnon (knee) is six weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery process, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: While he presumably hasn't been sprinting or cutting, McKinnon recently was spotted catching passes from Jimmy Garoppolo (knee), who also is working his way back from an ACL tear. The 49ers believe both players are on pace to take the field for the start of training camp in late July, but the positive early progress doesn't make it a sure thing. Once healthy, McKinnon will face stiff competition for playing time from 2018 breakout star Matt Breida (ankle), who ranked fourth among qualified…read more

Catching passes from Jimmy G

McKinnon (knee) caught passes from Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) recently, SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Analysis: Both players are working back from ACL tears, with McKinnon suffering his injury Sept. 1 and Garoppolo suffering his Sept. 23. The 26-year-old running back seems to be on schedule in his recovery, but he still figures to be absent or limited throughout the offseason program and into OTAs/minicamp. Once he returns to full participation in practice, McKinnnon will face stiff competition for playing time from Matt Breida, who averaged 5.3 yards on 153 carries despite battling through an ankle…read more

Has ditched crutches

McKinnon doesn't need crutches to move about as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: McKinnon suffered the injury between the preseason slate and preparation for Week 1, leaving the 49ers without one of their big offseason acquisitions for the entire campaign. Following surgery on Sept. 11, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported McKinnon's ACL tear was "pretty clean," a positive sign for his rehab. In McKinnon's absence, the trio of Matt Breida (ankle), Raheem Mostert and Alfred Morris have combined to fuel the NFL's second-ranked rushing attack (137.4 yards per game).

Recovering from surgery

McKinnon had surgery Tuesday to repair an ACL tear that's believed to be "pretty clean," Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: The report doesn't provide any specifics but might be taken as a hint that McKinnon avoided major damage to the other ligaments in his knee. If so, the timing of the injury should allow him to return for Week 1 of next season, though he still has a grueling rehab process ahead. Meanwhile, Alfred Morris and Matt Breida are forming a timeshare in the San Francisco backfield.

Officially on IR

The 49ers placed McKinnon (knee) on injured reserve Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFLNetwork reports.

Analysis: After tearing the ACL in his right knee Saturday, McKinnon was bound to land on IR. He'll now commence with rehab, allowing Alfred Morris and Matt Breida to churn out yards on the ground for the 49ers this season.

ACL tear confirmed

McKinnon sustained a torn ACL in his right knee at Saturday's team workout, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: During said workout, McKinnon went to the ground while making a cut, suffering a knee injury in the process. With his first season in San Francisco over, the 49ers will trust in Alfred Morris and Matt Breida to power the ground game.

Suffers non-contact knee injury

McKinnon (calf) suffered a non-contact knee injury during Saturday's practice, eliciting concern from coach Kyle Shanahan, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. "Something with a knee, we'll find out later," Shanahan said. "We're nervous about it, that's for sure."

Analysis: Shanahan's comment doesn't inspire any confidence, nor does the fact that McKinnon is already scheduled for an MRI. The obvious concern is an ACL injury, but we can't make any assumptions until McKinnon has actually been evaluated. He was working his way back from a minor calf injury, with the expectation of being ready for Week 1 in Minnesota. The Niners likely will turn to Matt Breida (shoulder) and Alfred Morris to lead their backfield if McKInnon isn't available.

Suffers unknown injury Saturday

McKinnon (calf) was injured during a team workout Saturday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

Analysis: Per Barrows' source, McKinnon's injury "did not look good." Signed in the offseason to serve as the 49ers' No. 1 back, McKinnon missed most of the preseason due to a calf injury, but had been increasing his conditioning work in recent days. The nature of the current concern will be known in due time, but Alfred Morris and Matt Breida (shoulder) could be the team's go-to running backs to begin the season.

Still doing conditioning work

McKinnon (calf) and Matt Breida (shoulder) both went through conditioning drills in full uniform at Tuesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Analysis: The 49ers have been cautious with their injured running backs, limiting them to side work for the past week despite the expectation that both will be fine for the Sept. 9 opener in Minnesota. McKinnon and Breida seem on track to return to team drills next week after the team cuts its roster down to 53 players. Alfred Morris is making a strong case for a spot, but there hasn't been any indication that he represents a serious threat to McKinnon's expected workload -- or Breida's -- early in the…read more

Working on side field

McKinnon (calf) is doing individual conditioning work at Tuesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Analysis: Already ruled out for the rest of the preseason, McKinnon apparently is making progress in his recovery from a calf strain he suffered during practice Aug. 12. The 49ers are playing it safe with all of their injured players, perhaps aiming for returns to full practice participation once it's time to install the gameplan for Week 1 in Minnesota. McKinnon seems to be on track to face his former team in the opener.

Won't play again this preseason

McKinnon (calf) will be held out for the rest of the preseason, Brian Murphy of KNBR 680 reports.

Analysis: McKinnon strained his right calf during Sunday's practice, just three days after Matt Breida suffered a separated shoulder in San Francisco's preseason opener. With both running backs now ruled out for the rest of the exhibition slate, the Niners will divide carries between Jeremy McNichols, Joe Williams, Alfred Morris, Raheem Mostert and Jeffery Wilson -- a group that's likely competing for two roster spots. Comments from 49ers brass suggest the team expects both McKinnon and Breida to be…read more

Dealing with calf strain

McKinnon is dealing with a right calf strain, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: McKinnon was removed from Sunday's practice with what was thought to be a knee injury, and he then spent the rest of the day watching from the sidelines. However, a recent MRI apparently showed the running back sustained no structural or nerve damage, so a long-term absence seems unlikely. The 49ers will reportedly give McKinnon a week of rest and then re-evaluate his situation next week.

Has 'muscle strain'

McKinnon has been diagnosed with "a muscle strain," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The results of the MRI are in, and McKinnon has dodged a bullet with his potential knee injury. With no structural damage evident, he may be absent from practice in the short term but won't be joining backfield mate Matt Breida (shoulder) in the recovery room for a lengthy spell. Only time will tell whether McKinnon will be ready for Saturday's preseason game in Houston.

Has MRI scheduled on knee

McKinnon will undergo an MRI on his right knee, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: McKinnon left Sunday's practice with what was believed to be a knee injury, only for the 49ers to confirm as much afterward. While the MRI may be a precautionary measure, the team likely is sitting on pins and needles just three days removed from losing backup running back Matt Breida (shoulder) for the rest of the preseason. If McKinnon also requires a stint away from the field, Raheem Mostert, Joe Williams, Jeremy McNichols and Jeffery Wilson represent the team's remaining healthy backfield…read more

Potentially injures knee

McKinnon was removed from Sunday's practice due to a possible knee injury, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Analysis: McKinnon watched the remaining drills and wasn't being looked at by the 49ers' medical team, but the issue will be one to watch with one running back (Matt Breida) already out of commission for awhile due to a shoulder separation.

Flashes chemistry with Garoppolo

McKinnon caught a pair of touchdowns from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Tuesday's 7-on-7 red-zone scrimmage, Joe Fann of the 49ers' official site reports.

Analysis: McKinnon also secured several passes during full-team workouts, showing signs of chemistry in the passing game with the 49ers' franchise signal-caller. The running back set new career highs in receptions (51) and receiving yards (421) with the Vikings last season, but there is room for even more growth under head coach Kyle Shanahan, who has generally deployed his backs as dual threats. After inking a four-year deal with San Francisco this offseason, McKinnon should lead the team's backfield…read more

Excited for Shanahan's scheme

McKinnon said he is excited to work under 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who believes the running back is much better than his statistics suggest, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee reports. "I know the stuff we liked McKinnon on," said Shanahan. "If I could just cut up those numbers I think they would have been good numbers. But when you take the whole accumulation of things, I think they watered things down."

Analysis: Shanahan said he "got lost" while watching film on McKinnon, whose work as a pass catcher -- 94 receptions the past two years -- stood out above all else on tape. The 2014 third-round pick entered the league with an elite athletic profile in terms of speed (4.41 40), strength (32 bench reps) and explosion (40.5-inch vertical, 132-inch broad jump) -- talent he displayed while averaging 4.9 yards on 165 carries as Adrian Peterson's backup in 2014 and 2015. Eventually freed up for a larger role,…read more

Set to sign with San Francisco

McKinnon has agreed to a four-year, $30 million contract with San Francisco, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: McKinnon was set to be a second or third option if he returned to the Vikings with Dalvin Cook coming back from a knee injury, but now he'll at least have a shot to compete for the primary job in the 49ers backfield. The size of the contract suggests McKinnon will enter camp as the favorite for lead-back status, ahead of Matt Breida, Joe Williams, Jeremy McNichols and Raheem Mostert (knee). Of course, there's still time for the Niners to supplement their RB stable in free agency or the draft.

McKinnon, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the league year, intends to sign with a team that will give him a bigger offensive role than he had with the Vikings, ESPN's Courtney Cronin reports. "I want to be the guy," McKinnon said. "I don't put in all the work in the offseason to come back and be in this role. I appreciate the role. It worked out well, but I want bigger and better things for myself."

Analysis: McKinnon added that he's open to re-signing with the Vikings if they can satisfy his desire for a featured role, but that seems unlikely to be something Minnesota can provide after they invested a 2017 second-round pick in Dalvin Cook (knee) while having Latavius Murray under contract through 2019. It may not be all that likely that another team will afford him that chance either considering McKinnon's averaged just 3.58 yards on 309 carries over the past two seasons. The 2014 third-rounder…read more

McKinnon carried 10 times for 40 yards and caught 11 of 12 targets for an additional 86 yards during Sunday's 38-7 loss to the Eagles.

Analysis: McKinnon managed a respectable four yards per carry against the toughest run defense in the NFL, but he did most of his damage catching short passes as his team played from behind for virtually the entire game. McKinnon enjoyed an increase in his usage as a pass catcher this year, finishing with career highs in targets, catches and receiving yards. He also posted personal bests in rushing yards and total touchdowns, which could support his value on the free-agent market this offseason.

McKinnon had 12 carries for 44 yards in Sunday's win over Chicago.

Analysis: McKinnon has been explosive this season but taken a back seat to Lativus Murray in the second half of the season. McKinnon has 283 yards rushing and 218 yards receiving with one touchdown in his last eight games. McKinnon can still produce big plays and will likely be a bigger factor in the passing game if the Vikings need to go to the air in their first playoff game after a bye.

McKinnon carried seven times for 42 yards and caught one of two targets for an additional nine yards during Saturday's 16-0 win over the Packers.

Analysis: McKinnon averaged six yards per carry, but volume was not in his favor as he received his lowest allotment of touches since Week 4. This may come as a bit of a surprise, considering his team played with a lead throughout the game, but Latavious Murray's 21 totes limited the impact McKinnon had as Minnesota squared the victory away. He could see additional work next week against the Bears if the team is in a position to limit its starters, but it seems unlikely that he'd be too heavily involved…read more

McKinnon rushed nine times for 24 yards and added seven catches for 114 yards on eight targets in Sunday's 34-7 win over the Bengals.

Analysis: While McKinnon was outplayed by Latavius Murray on the ground, he led his team in catches and receiving yards. Both members of this running back duo have provided strong fantasy value since Dalvin Cook tore his ACL in Week 4, but it's a bit worrying that McKinnon hasn't topped 50 rushing yards in his past eight games.

McKinnon (shoulder) practiced in full Thursday.

Analysis: Since Dalvin Cook suffered a torn ACL in Week 4, McKinnon has averaged 76.9 yards per game from scrimmage and scored five total touchdowns across nine outings. That said, McKinnon hasn't surpassed 60 scrimmage yards in five consecutive contests. After a brief reduction in reps Wednesday, he returned Thursday without limitations, setting himself up to take advantage of the Bengals' 19th-ranked defense Sunday.

McKinnon was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: After six consecutive games in which he failed to surpass 3.6 yards per carry, McKinnon found daylight in Sunday's loss to the Panthers, gaining 46 yards on seven totes. Despite his efficient work, McKinnon saw his usage dwindle after halftime, with the shoulder issue perhaps offering an explanation for that. McKinnon's ability to practice in any capacity Wednesday suggests his injury shouldn't keep him out Week 15 against the Bengals, but his situation will warrant a closer look if he fails to…read more

McKinnon rushed seven times for 46 yards and caught two of three targets for nine more in Sunday's 31-24 loss to Carolina.

Analysis: McKinnon was far more effective on a per-touch basis than Latavius Murray, averaging 6.6 yards per rush compared to Murray's 1.6. Neither running back was able to get into a rhythm with Minnesota never holding a lead in this one, but the team's 10-3 record suggests gameflow won't be an issue most weeks. If McKinnon keeps outplaying Murray, he'll get a greater share of the workload moving forward after being out-touched, 11-9, in this one.

McKinnon carried nine times for 24 yards and caught all five targets for 28 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 14-9 win over the Falcons.

Analysis: McKinnon averaged an underwhelming 3.7 yards per touch in this one, but he salvaged his day from a fantasy perspective with a two-yard touchdown reception. Latavius Murray received a larger workload yet again and was much more effective on a per-touch basis, though he wasn't able to find the end zone. McKinnon will maintain a notable role next week against the Panthers, but he will need to make better use of the touches he gets with Murray continuing to head the backfield.

McKinnon rushed 13 times for just 23 yards and caught a 31-yard reception during Thursday's 30-23 win over Detroit.

Analysis: After getting out to a 13-point lead early, the Minnesota game script wasn't favorable for McKinnon's skill set and role in the offense. His only catch came on the Vikings' second drive, and he primarily rushed in obvious running situations all afternoon. Additionally, for the third consecutive week, Latavius Murray ran for more yards per attempt and received more red-zone carries. It's not all doom and gloom for McKinnon, but his value appears to be becoming more reliant on his work in the…read more

McKinnon rushed 14 times for 48 yards and brought in five of seven targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 24-7 win over the Rams.

Analysis: McKinnon's final line wasn't awful by any stretch, but he did check in significantly behind backfield Latavius Murray's 95 rushing yards. On a brighter note, his five catches were tied for second on the team, but his 2.4 YPC left much to be desired. Even though Murray has outproduced him on the ground over the last two weeks, the Vikings are still splitting rushing touches fairly evenly between the two, which when combined with McKinnon's passing game role, keeps him a viable fantasy asset.…read more