San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers Should Shut Down Running Back Carlos Hyde for the Rest of 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With 2016 a lost season for the San Francisco 49ers, the team would be wise to shut down No. 1 running back Carlos Hyde for the rest of the year.

The San Francisco 49ers should shut running back Carlos Hyde down for the rest of 2016.

49ers

Niner Noise 23h49ers vs. Cardinals: The Good, Bad and Ugly in Week 10 for San Francisco

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Let’s face it, the 1-8 Niners are all in on another year of rebuilding. This year’s campaign is a lost one in which the numerous problems and depth issues have come right to the surface. With seven games remaining on the schedule, any efforts should be either developmental or determining which players should be retained next year.

Hyde is one of the few playmakers San Francisco has on either side of the ball. But injury concerns and durability have been factors, just as much as his ability to impact the offense.

The Niners’ second-round pick of the 2014 NFL Draft returned to action against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10 after missing two games with a shoulder injury.

And it wasn’t as if Hyde was a major factor. In reality, he wasn’t one.

Hyde totaled a mere 14 yards on 13 carries. That’s an average of just 1.1 yards per carry. Watching the film, it’s clear Hyde wasn’t running with the same sort of aggression or decisiveness we’ve seen out of him in prior games.

Instead, Hyde danced around and failed to hit any openings with regularity.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Durability Issues

Injuries have been nothing new for Hyde. San Francisco’s No. 1 tailback has missed a total of 11 games out of 25 contests dating back to when he took over as the featured runner. That’s 44 percent missed.

And it’s worth arguing Hyde’s shoulder injury prevented him from running with the same sort of prowess we’ve seen in the past.

Granted, Arizona’s front-seven defense is one of the better ones in the league. So we should give credit where it’s due.

But Hyde isn’t going to have an easy slate of games on the schedule moving forward. The New England Patriots come to town in Week 11. And run-stopping teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are still on the calendar.

Use the Time to Evaluate the Remaining 49ers Backs

Sadly, we’re reaching the point in which the Niners might have to consider options other than Hyde moving forward.

Just ask Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller:

I loved Hyde coming out, but wouldn't be surprised to see serious competition added this off-season. https://t.co/EPBrICLh3R

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 10, 2016

Hyde may no longer be the long-term answer for which he was drafted. Regardless, the 49ers need help to support him even if he remains a fixture.

Now-No. 2 running back DuJuan Harris, who had a great game in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, saw only five carries against the Cardinals. He looks every bit the change-of-pace back San Francisco needs.

Nov 13, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) runs by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Whereas Hyde is more of a bruiser, Harris is much shiftier and elusive. He gets out to the sidelines quicker as well.