49ers RB Jerick McKinnon at Risk of Starting Season on IR After Latest Setback

Former Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon figured to be the lead back in Kyle Shanahan's offense when he signed a four-year, $30 million with the San Francisco 49ers last offseason. However, seemingly from the exact second the ink dried on his contract, McKinnon has been in the infirmary.

After missing the entirety of the 2018 season with a knee injury, McKinnon is still not feeling 100 percent and could start the year on the PUP.

A former triple-option quarterback who was selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft, McKinnon rushed for 570 yards during his last year in Minnesota while adding 421 yards as a receiver and scoring five total touchdowns.

There appears to be an injury bug infestation around 49ers camp, as in addition to McKinnon's injury, No. 2 overall pick Nick Bosa will miss the rest of the preseason while oft-injured reclamation project Jason Verrett suffered an ankle sprain that could force him to miss significant time as well.

Despite visions of their brand new running back excelling in the same role that made Devonta Freeman a star in Atlanta, 49ers fans have been relegated to praying that McKinnon is actually healthy enough to even get in the game.