The 49ers are going to place running back Jerick McKinnon on injured reserve, ending his 2019 season according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the report.
McKinnon joined the 49ers last season and tore his ACL a week before the start of the regular season. He began training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and suffered a minor setback before returning to practice. His return to practice didn’t go well though, and he was pushed back out of action after one day.
General manager John Lynch told reporters in his press conference that McKinnon would need to have his knee operated on again.
The 49ers gave McKinnon a four-year deal worth $30 million with $18 million guaranteed last year.
If San Francisco elects to release McKinnon next year, they can save $6.8 million by letting him go after June 1. He’d leave $2 million in dead money in 2020 and 2021.
The 49ers may also elect to keep him on the roster in hopes that he gets back to the form that warranted his contract in 2018. Either way, he won’t suit up for San Francisco in 2019, and whether he ever plays for them is certainly in question.
