49ers RB Matt Breida avoided the PUP list to open training camp. He missed the spring with a torn pectoral, and we'll see how much he's able to do early in camp. Breida has a chance to make a move up San Francisco's depth chart while RB Jerick McKinnon continues to sit with knee trouble.

49ers RB Jerick McKinnon will start training camp on the PUP list. Per team insider Matt Maiocco, McKinnon had a recent “flare-up” in his knee. The 27-year-old isn't expected to be out long, but any absence is extra concerning after last year's torn ACL.

Niners HC Kyle Shanahan said this week that RB Jerick McKinnon and LB Kwon Alexander have a "very good chance" of being on the field for the start of training camp. Each guy is coming off an ACL repair. McKinnon suffered his injury in August. He'll return to find a backfield that added Tevin Coleman and returns Matt Breida. McKinnon's touch outlook has obviously changed quite a bit from last summer. he still makes for a risky selection late in the single-digit rounds of current best-ball fantasy football drafts. Alexander is expected to start after signing a big free-agent contract. He should play full time and remain a solid IDP option, as long as the knee's good.

The 49ers have signed RB Tevin Coleman to a 2-year deal worth a "maximum" of $10 million. Coleman spent his first 2 NFL seasons with 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta, which will certainly help as he makes this move. Coleman joins a 49ers backfield alongside RB Jerick McKinnon, who got a 4-year, $30 million deal last offseason. We'll see how much a factor those contracts are when these guys start to battle for playing time. But we're likely looking at a committee backfield considering neither McKinnon nor Coleman profiles as a workhorse.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan confirmed from the Combine on Wednesday that Jerick McKinnon remains his lead back. Matt Breida impressed with 5.3 yards per carry and 9.7 yards per catch last year, despite battling injuries. But the 'Niners paid McKinnon $18 million guaranteed last offseason and owe him another $3.7 million this year. Shanahan said that McKinnon's recovery from last September's torn ACL is "on track." He remains mostly unproven as a lead back, but his athleticism and an improving San Francisco offense give him intriguing upside. McKinnon's ADP is sitting in the early 5th round as the 24th RB off the board in February FFPC drafts.

The 49ers' fears have been realized. RB Jerick McKinnon suffered an ACL tear in Saturday's practice and will miss the season. That leaves his expected touches available for Matt Breida and Alfred Morris. The team this week released RBs Joe Williams and Jeremy McNichols. We'd bet on San Francisco adding to the backfield, but Breida and Morris carry much more value in fantasy football drafts over the coming week.

ESPN reports that 49ers RB Jerick McKinnon suffered a knee injury on the final play of Saturday's practice that the team fears may be serious. We'll be watching for further updates, but hold off on drafting McKinnon at all for now. Matt Breida and Alfred Morris, meanwhile, gain intrigue in the middle to late rounds of current fantasy football drafts.

49ers RB Jerick McKinnon (calf) was "moving well" in conditioning work off to the side of Tuesday's practice, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. McKinnon has yet to return to practice since going down on August 12, but it sounds like he's on pace to be ready for Week 1. He's a risk/reward pick at his current mid-3rd-round ADP.

49ers GM John Lynch said Friday that RB Jerick McKinnon (calf) will be "out of action" until Week 1. That presumably means he won't play in the final 3 preseason games or practice until September. It's more confirmation than breaking news -- and it's a smart tactic for the 'Niners to take. But it's still a less-than-ideal situation for a guy who remains completely unproven as a lead back. McKinnon retains PPR RB1 upside but has become a risky pick that we're not considering until Round 3 of fantasy drafts.

The 49ers have signed RB Alfred Morris. He'll provide some insurance after recent injuries to RBs Jerick McKinnon (calf) and Matt Breida (shoulder). Morris has experience in HC Kyle Shanahan's offense after spending his first 2 NFL seasons in it with the Redskins.

49ers RB Jerick McKinnon underwent an MRI on his right knee after going down in practice on Sunday. Good news, though: A source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that McKinnon's only dealing with a muscle strain. He's likely to miss practice time -- and perhaps some preseason action -- but the former Viking should be ready for Week 1.

Update: ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports that it's a calf strain.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner believes 49ers RB Matt Breida will play a bigger role than most are expecting this season. "Breida looked bigger and stronger during the offseason program while maintaining his speed and now that he has a year in the system under his belt, he should be even more comfortable," Wagoner writes. The 'Niners, of course, paid big bucks to land RB Jerick McKinnon in free agency. The former Viking remains the heavy favorite to serve as San Francisco's lead back -- but he never projected as a 300-carry workhorse. There could certainly be enough for Breida to handle 8-12 touches per game. And that could make him a spot-start option for fantasy teams -- on top of his value as a McKinnon handcuff.

The 49ers have reached a 4-year deal with RB Jerick McKinnon, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The former Viking was looking to land a bigger role and will certainly find opportunity in San Francisco. After losing Carlos Hyde, the 'Niners backfield now features McKinnon and 2nd-year RBs Matt Breida, Joe Williams and Jeremy McNichols. McKinnon underwhelmed as a runner in Minnesota, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry over the past 2 seasons. But he did rank a decent 18th among 51 qualifying RBs in Pro Football Focus' 2017 rushing grades. And he tied for 7th in PFF's receiving grades on the strength of a career-high 51 catches for 421 yards and 2 scores. That followed a 43-255-2 receiving line in 2016. We'll see exactly how this backfield shakes out this summer, but McKinnon has plenty of fantasy potential in an ascending offense. He turns just 26 in May.

Update: McKinnon got a whopping 4-year, $30 million deal. The $7.5 million annual salary makes him the league's 4th highest-paid RB.

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon (ankle) has been a full-go at practice this week. He’ll be ready to serve in a change-of-pace role behind Latavius Murray against the Bears on Monday night. We’ll see exactly how much work that means. Consider McKinnon just a PPR flier for now.

Vikings RB Latavius Murray (ankle) declined to guarantee that he'll be ready for the start of training camp. “The goal is just to try to be available during training camp at some point,” he said. “Right now, everything is pointing toward that. I’m just going to trust the process and not rush the process.” Murray underwent ankle surgery on March 22 and just got out of his walking boot this week. He still hasn't been cleared to run. Meanwhile, RBs Dalvin Cook and Jerick McKinnon are soaking up reps. Murray can't afford to miss much training-camp time.

The Vikings traded up to snag Florida State RB Dalvin Cook with the 41st pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. Cook is a classic case of college production vs. measurables. He was a stud at Florida State, topping 1,000 rushing yards in all 3 of his seasons and leaving school with a career 6.5 yards per carry. Cook also totaled 79 catches for 935 yards (11.8 yards per catch). So it was a real head-scratcher when he bombed the Combine. He clocked a decent 4.49-second 40 at 5’10, 210 pounds but was brutal in the jumping and agility drills. Cook finished with a 6th percentile SPARQ score. Also of concern are his 3 shoulder surgeries (1 in high school, 1 in 2014 and another in 2016) and his 3 run-ins with the law. Cook joins a fairly crowded Minnesota backfield that includes the newly signed Latavius Murray and holdover Jerick McKinnon. The rookie will likely emerge as the top talent, though, and is the favorite to lead the backfield in 2017 touches.

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer sounds like he plans to use RB Latavius Murray as a feature back. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Zimmer lauded Murray's strength in the run game, receiving ability and even pass protection. "Not having to substitute him on third downs (will be) big," Zimmer said. Of course, Minnesota's weak O-line didn't help any RB deliver much fantasy value last year. We'll see how this situation develops, but expect Murray to land toward the bottom of RB2 territory when our 2017 projections come out