Marcus Lattimore Expected to Start 2013 Season on Non-Football Injury List
By Josh Hill
When the San Francisco 49ers selected Marcus Lattimore in the NFL Draft a week ago, it sort of surprised people in a way that wasn’t really surprising. It was a bit shocking that the Niners took a running back as high as they did, given they have Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Anthony Dixon and LaMicheal James on roster. But with Gore aging and James not really being a featured back type of player, the Niners ended up making a surprising move look absolutely brilliant.
It was understood when he was drafted that Lattimore would still need more time to heal, which is why being selected by the Niners was so brilliant. With Gore and James playing, Lattimore could realistically sit out the entire 2013 season in order to heal up as much as he needs to.
While that’s not something that has been confirmed, the former South Carolina running back is expected to start the season on the non-football injury list, per CSN Bay Area’s early projections of the 49ers opening day roster.
"This takes into consideration that Lattimore is expected to be placed on “non-football injury” to open training camp. If he remains on that list to open the regular season, he would not take up one of the team’s 53 roster spots."
For fans wanting to see Lattimore make an epic recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered back in October of 2012, hearing that he won’t start opening day is a bit disappointing. But for those who know Lattimore needs more time, the news is almost music to their ears. On paper, the plan makes an mazing amount of success but it’s not guaranteed to work.
Still, it’s clear the 49ers are taking every precaution they can to ensure that Lattimore is ready when they need him and that he will have a full and fruitful NFL career.