The 49ers have started three running backs through six weeks, and the organization is hoping they’ll be adding another option at the position before long. 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters that running back Jeff Wilson should be back from a knee injury before the end of the season.
“It’s not in the next couple weeks, but kind of beyond that,” Lynch said, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “He’s doing really well. He’s had some real positive breakthroughs in the last couple of weeks in his recovery.”
Matt Barrows of The Athletic writes that Wilson is only a few weeks away from practicing, with the organization targeting a late-November return.
Wilson had a breakout campaign in 2020, finishing with 733 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns in 12 games (three starts). The running back landed on injured reserve prior to the 2021 season, and his timeline has since been pushed back a bit. Per Maiocco, Wilson was initially expected to return around midseason, but now it sounds like he’s eyeing a late-season return.
Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, and Elijah Mitchell have all seen stints as the 49ers starting running back this season, and none of those players have been in uniform for all six games. Mitchell currently leads the running back corps with 63 carries.
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