SANTA CLARA – The running back 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan hand-picked to replace Carlos Hyde showed why he could be in line to have a big season with his new club.
On the first play of the 49ers' first practice of training camp, Jerick McKinnon got to the corner on an outside run, turned upfield and scampered untouched down the left sideline. Later, he snuck out of the backfield and was all alone -- after linebacker Reuben Foster and nickel back K'Waun Williams collided -- and caught a swing pass from Jimmy Garoppolo for a big gain.
“If you look at what coach Shanahan does, all his backs do both,” McKinnon said, “I’m excited to be here and take my game to the next level.