Calling in the Calvary: Part I

By: Doug Rohr

Follow on Twitter: @d_rohr

With the second half of the San Francisco 49ers season underway, we take a look at an overview of all of the possible returning players. Today, we look at the offense…

Marcus Lattimore

A majority of 49er fans are well aware of Marcus Lattimore and his story. Star collegiate running back at South Carolina who sustained two gruesome knee injuries in 2011 and 2012. With many teams uncertain of what the future would hold for Mr. Lattimore, the San Francisco 49ers took a chance and drafted him in the 4th round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Potential Return

This seems to be the million dollar question. Last week, it was ‘when would he return.’ Now, the appropriate question is ‘will he return.’ Lattimore was activated from the Non-Football Injury list on October 29th and started the 21-day evaluation window. By November 19th, the 49ers must decide to promote Lattimore to the 53-man roster, place him on season-ending IR, or waive him. Based upon this window, the earliest that Lattimore could see action on the field would be Week 13 versus Washington. However, the latest info has made this return a bit clouded. Following the 49ers loss to the Rams, rumors began circulating that Lattimore was mulling his options regarding his football future. Yesterday, ESPN, Adam Caplan, and others began reporting Lattimore had decided to retire. A decision that his agent denies, stating that Lattimore will be discussing his options with his family. At the time that this article was posted, a final decision had yet to be made.

When does Lattimore take the field should he not decide to retire? Your guess is as good as mine but experiencing knee soreness after two days of practice severe enough to consider retirement is not promising. The earliest we would see him would be in 2015. If Lattimore wants to continue playing football, he will more than likely end up on IR and continue his rehab.

Immediately Impacts…

Should Lattimore decide to return, what 49er player is impacted? To be quite honest, no one. Frank Gore’s contract is up at the end of the year and Kendall Hunter just signed a 1-year extension with the team. The likelihood of both of them returning for the long haul is slim but it is possible. Based upon Gore’s play this year, the 49ers could make him a team friendly 1-2 year extension offer. He has played much younger than his age but paying top-10 RB money to a 31-year old would be silly when that money could be used to extend Hunter even further and pair him with Carlos Hyde. Regardless of who San Francisco decides to extend, Lattimore will be 3rd on the depth chart. His carries will be few and far between.

On the flipside, Lattimore announcing his retirement could immediately impact a free agent running back awaiting a call. As it stands, the 49ers only have 2 active running backs on the 53-man roster. They decided to do so after releasing LaMichael James back in September. I believe the 49ers wanted to hold out to see if Lattimore could be added to the roster. If he is placed on IR or retires from football, I would expect a running back to be added in the next few weeks.

If you want some ideas on who the 49ers should pick up, feel free to ask our own, Kyle Breitkreutz. He’s floated out a name recently…

Potential Role

There is no denying Lattimore’s talent. Pre-injury, he was considered one of the best collegiate running backs in recent memory. The true issue is what Lattimore’s knees will allow him to do. It would be silly to assume he could ever return to the same level of play but it’s not impossible. Lattimore could etch out a role in the backfield by splitting carries but I see his role putting him behind whatever 1-2 punch the 49ers have assembled. I hope he proves me wrong though…

Potentially Impacts…

No one in particular. It may sound harsh but too many ‘ifs’ surround Lattimore’s future to consider him being able to unseat or sway the 49ers from signing, extending, or drafting another running back in the upcoming years. It’s too early to tell but hopefully us 49er fans will be able to see this scenario unfold in the future.

Trey Millard

Millard was the 12th 49ers draft pick in 2014 and the 5th player ‘stashed’ on an injured list due to a torn ACL in his left knee. Appropriately nicknamed ‘Slash’ by coach Bob Stoopes, Millard lined up at multiple offensive positions and special teams for the Sooners. Much like Lattimore, Millard was considered to be the best player at his position in his respective draft prior to his injury. While fullback was the position he was listed at, Millard could provide quite a bit more than just a body getting sloppy second reps from Bruce Miller.

Potential Return

No rumors have been spread and no word has been announced from the team concerning Millard’s potential return. With him being placed on the Non-Football Injury list, there should be an upcoming announcement as a final decision on Millard has to be made in the next few weeks. However, I would not expect to see Millard back in training camp next year.

Immediately Impacts…

After the 49ers place him on season-ending injured reserve, Millard will have no immediate impact with any player on the active roster.

Potential Role

Millard’s potential role can be explained with one word that will ring with familiarity for 49ers fans everywhere: Delanie. I will not sit here and preach to you that the reason that the 49ers offense has looked off kilter is due to the absence of Delanie Walker but I can say that DW did provide Greg Roman with the ability to provide a multitude of offensive looks that kept defenses on edge. If you peruse any number of scouting reports for Trey Millard and you will see the terms ‘versatile,’ ‘athlete,’ and ‘Swiss Army Knife’ thrown around quite frequently. I think Millard can provide that H-back type player that the 49ers lost when Walker signed with Tennessee.

It is far too early tell if Millard will make the cut next year but, if he does, he will have to do so as a tight end. Bruce Miller is a beast and is not going anywhere. That, in itself, will be no easy feat, especially with the emergence of Derek Carrier. At the moment, the 49ers appear set at tight end next year with Vernon, McDonald, and Carrier. While Vernon has looked pitiful this year and McDonald continuing to look pitiful, I do not see either of them not making the cut as both are under contract until 2015 and beyond. However, if Millard can slide into the lineup as a special teams contributor, the 49ers might consider carrying four TE’s and allow Millard some time to outshine McDonald as a more viable tight end option.

Potentially Impacts…

Millard could potentially shake up the tight end depth chart if the 49ers front office places a lot of value on his versatility. Now, I am not saying he will bring about a complete overhaul at the position but it is no secret that McDonald has not performed up to expectations. Being drafted in the second round in 2013, one would assume that he was picked to be Vernon’s successor but things have not panned out as planned. However, in 2015, Vernon and Carrier are up for contracts. Could Millard’s versatility make Vernon or Carrier expendable? No one can say for certain but keep your eyes out and do not be surprised to hear his name come up more than few times in the months leading up to training camp. I think the coaching staff is going to fall in love with this guy.

Garrett Celek

I put a lot of time and energy into Millard and Lattimore…I will not be doing the same for Celek.

Celek was at risk of losing his job in training camp to Derek Carrier. With the way that Carrier performed in the preseason and the love the front office has for him, I think it is a pretty easy conclusion that Celek would have ended up being a stretch to make the final roster.

If Celek is not placed on season-ending IR, he will be released and the 49ers Hub will be more than happy to use the #Former49er hashtag when he is signed and released by multiple teams in the future.

Brandon Thomas

Brandon Thomas was another injury ‘stash’ that the 49ers picked up in this year’s draft. Just like Lattimore and Millard, Thomas was considered to by many to be the #1 guard in this year’s draft prior to his tearing his right ACL during a pre-draft workout for the Saints. While at Clemson, Thomas started 36 games and played at left guard and both tackle positions.

Potential Return

Due Thomas’ injury occurring so late in the draft process and surgery being performed on April 23rd, it would very safe to assume that we will not be seeing him on the field in 2014. Look for Thomas to be placed on season-ending IR to continue rehab of his ACL injury.

Immediately Impacts…

With the IR in his future, Thomas will not be making an immediate impact on any roster spots this year.

Potential Role

With the offensive line looking like a shell of its former self, any depth or upgrades will be appreciated. Mike Iupati and Alex Boone have not played their best football…this can also be said of a majority of the offense in general. However, the offensive line accounts for a remarkable PFF score of -15.0 on the season. Some would call this ‘below average.’ I call it what Staley called their play against the Rams on Sunday; “shit.” With Iupati’s contract coming up at the end of the year, expect Thomas to take over Iupati’s old spot on the offensive line.

Potentially Impacts…

Now, granted Iupati has not played as poorly as others on the offensive line, I think his spot is up for grabs due to his contract expiring after this year. As much as 49er fans want Thomas to just step in and take over a starting position, it is unclear if he will be prepared to do so. While Iupati’s deal expires after this year, 2015 contracts will play an even bigger role in the offensive line shuffle as Alex Boone, Joe Looney, and Jon Martin’s contracts are all set to expire. If the 49ers feel there is more value with Iupati than Boone, it would not shock me for Paraag Marathe to work his magic get Iupati to take a deal that the media would consider to be ‘team friendly.’ If this happens, Iupati would be under contract next year and Thomas could take over as the lead backup for the offensive line. Thomas could get some reps prior to taking over at right guard for Boone, who will command a pretty massive contract in the free market. If Thomas is healthy and able to pick things up quickly in this offseason, Boone could also be used to acquire future picks via trade. Based upon the interest this offseason, it’s not out of the question. With Thomas coming into the fold and Marcus Martin getting some reps this year, neither of the underperforming guards are certain starters in San Francisco next year.