49ers RB Lattimore could begin practice next week
San Francisco 49ers’ 4
th
round draft pick Marcus Lattimore is getting close to practicing again.
The rookie running back out of South Carolina has been doing rehab work for quite some time and the deadline to activate him is right around the corner.
Via CSN Bay Area and Matt Maiocco, Tuesday is the final day Latimore can be added from the reserve/non-football injury list before he automatically is placed on injured reserve – functionally ending his 2013 season.
As with other injured players, Lattimore – if activated – would have a period of three weeks to practice with the team, after which he would be placed on injured reserve anyway.
Lattimore wants the opportunity to practice and participate with the team.
“Just to get a feel of it and how everything’s going to be,” Lattimore said. “It’s different. You can learn it all you want until you go out there and do it. It’s really nothing you can really grasp.
“It’ll be important to have my mind ready for the next year. (I’m) just real excited about it.”
San Francisco ranks 4th in the NFL at 147.7 yards rushing per contest and All Pro Frank Gore ranks sixth with 700 yards on the season.
In many ways, Lattimore was drafted into the perfect situation considering the severity of his injury. He tore three ligaments in his right knee last October – something the 49ers could accommodate and take their time with considering the positive state of their running game.
Needless to say, it’s good to see Lattimore back after that devastating injury.