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The writing was on the wall that Jerick McKinnon was unlikely to be back with the 49ers for the 2021 season. The running back on Wednesday appeared to confirm as much in an Instagram Live video with 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
McKinnon was asked in the video’s chat whether he’d be back in San Francisco next season. His response was a resounding “no,” preceded by an expletive.
“We gone! We gone!” McKinnon said.
Perhaps it was simply a joke for social media, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 28-year-old is eager to leave a crowded backfield in Santa Clara. He struggled with injuries for the first two years of the four-year deal he signed ahead of the 2018 season. McKinnon tore his ACL a week before the season opener in 2018, then got hurt again in camp before the following year.
Rather than releasing him in 2020, San Francisco restructured his deal to reduce his base salary and virtually eliminate the final year, making him an unrestricted free agent in the 2021 offseason.
McKinnon finally returned to action in 2020 and looked to be on track for a big year. He posted four touchdowns in four games and was averaging 5.6 yards per carry on 34 attempts. It looked as if he’d at worst be an effective third-down back. His productivity dwindled greatly as the year wore on though. He tallied only 31 touches and didn’t find the end zone over the final seven games. McKinnon finished the year 572 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns.
While the 49ers backfield struggled with injuries McKinnon still couldn’t work his way back into the rotation in any meaningful way. It’s hard to imagine he’s part of their long-term plan, and he may have done enough early in the year to earn a shot at carving out a larger role with a club.
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