Here are five things to watch on Sunday when the 49ers open their season in Minnesota against the Vikings.
New-look running game
Kyle Shanahan indicated this week he had to dramatically change the game plan for Sunday after losing starting running back Jerick McKinnon, a former Viking, for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Shanahan hasn’t revealed how he’ll piece together the running game. But all signs are pointing to mixing and matching with second-year player Matt Breida and veteran Alfred Morris, who was signed midway through training camp.
Neither are adept pass catchers out of the backfield like McKinnon, which might force the 49ers to replicate some of McKinnon’s attributes with other skill position players.