San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon has suffered another setback in his surgically repaired knee, according to the team's general manager John Lynch.
Lynch went on KNBR on Wednesday and said McKinnon’s return to practice was “not encouraging.”
McKinnon tore his ACL about a week before the season started last year, and has been working towards returning to the field. Unfortunately, the 27-year old running back has had a bumpy road during his recovery.
McKinnon first returned to practice in earlier this month, but suffered some soreness in his knee and opted to undergo a platelet rich plasma injection. He then returned to practice yesterday, but he was not as far along as the 49ers were hoping for.
Lynch also said that the 49ers are still deciding on what to do with McKinnon. There is a chance that he is put on short term IR for a return later in the season, but he would need to make the initial 53-man roster.
If the 49ers feel comfortable enough rolling with Matt Breida, Tevin Coleman, and Raheem Mostert, they may shut down McKinnon for the entire season. If that does happen, it becomes harder to imagine him ever playing a single down for the 49ers.
The 49ers signed McKinnon to a 4-year, $30 million contract just a year ago. Kyle Shanahan and the coaching staff imagined him as a focal point of the offense when they gave him his contract. Unfortunately his injury derailed that plan, but the 49ers have done a good job in covering for his absence.
Lynch said the situation is still ongoing, but it’s not looking good for McKinnon and the 49ers.
Media courtesy: Tony Avelar/AP Images