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The San Francisco 49ers have found great success in their ground game, and it might get a sizable infusion of talent after their Week 4 bye. Running back Tevin Coleman has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain injury suffered in Week 1. He has not practiced since the game, but he is on track to return to practice on the Monday of Week 5, according to beat writer Matt Barrows.
In Coleman’s absence, Matt Breida has emerged as the starter, averaging over seven yards per carry. Raheem Mostert has been a strong complement, leading the team with 79 rushing yards in Week 3. Second year running back Jeff Wilson has become one of the rare pure goal line backs in the NFL, rushing two touchdowns in each of the last two games.
Wilson was added after Coleman got hurt, and would seem to be a candidate to be jettisoned once Coleman is healthy. A team can never have too much depth, but a team also has to create some semblance of balance on the roster. Wilson would likely be the odd man out given Breida’s strength filling in for Coleman and Mostert’s versatility as a special teams player.
Fantasy impact: Shanahan offenses have long created exceptional ground games, but for fantasy purposes it can sometimes be difficult to figure out who to start. Breida and Mostert have both shined, so this could very well become a situation with a great ground game, but not a great fantasy option. Coleman likely will still be a guy to start as an RB2 or flex option, but it will be something to track when he returns before we know who has what value after him.