The 49ers added running back depth ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Bengals in Cincinnati. Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. was added from the practice squad, and rookie tight end Kaden Smith was placed on waivers to make room on the 53-man roster.
Wilson’s presence is necessary after Tevin Coleman suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 that will likely keep him out through the bye week. He was an undrafted rookie last year who spent most of the season on the practice squad. He wound up playing in six games with two starts and averaged 4.0 yards-per-carry on 66 attempts.
It looked like Wilson might make the 53-man roster out of camp following a strong preseason showing to back up his productive rookie season. Numbers at other positions forced the 49ers to leave Wilson off the roster. He cleared waivers though and re-signed with San Francisco’s practice squad.
There’s a chance Wilson winds up staying on the roster even after Coleman gets back, especially since Smith is likely to clear waivers and land back with the 49ers’ practice squad.
San Francisco drafted Smith in the sixth-round out of Stanford. He was one of four tight ends on the 53-man roster, but he was inactive in Week 1. That made his roster spot more expendable.
Don’t be surprised if Wilson gets a few carries in Week 2 with Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert also sharing the load.
