Marcus Lattimore: I can practice now
By Mike Dyce
The San Francisco 49ers drafted running back Marcus Lattimore out of South Carolina. Lattimore suffered a gruesome knee injury last season playing against Tennessee in October. He was considered to be a first round draft pick before the injury. While he is having an Adrian Peterson like recovery, the team is being cautious with Lattimore, holding him out of practice.
The 49ers even put Lattimore on the physically unable to perform list. That will hold him out till at least the season’s sixth week.
“I’m cool with it, it gives me more time to make sure I’m really ready when I do practice,” Lattimore said, via Yahoo! Sports. “Physically, I do feel I can practice now.”
The 49ers might be wise to give him that extra rest. They certainly don’t need him right away with Frank Gore in the backfield.
Robert Griffin III is working on his own recovery and is ahead of schedule. His attitude, enthusiasm and intensity has inspired Lattimore’s recovery.
“I knew why he has been so successful,” said Lattimore. “I don’t think we had to say anything to push each other.”
“There were no down conversations, no negative conversations about our injuries or about anything,” Lattimore said. “All our conversations were about what we were doing and what we were going to do tomorrow or the next day.”
“I was blessed to have him out there,” he said. “I know he helped me a lot.”