NFL Rumors: San Francisco 49ers not looking to replace LaMichael James as punt returner

The NFL Draft is in full force and the San Francisco 49ers are making moves the strengthen their offense in creative ways. But by drafting Carlos Hyde in the second round of the draft, there is now a conundrum in the Niners backfield that will likely lead to someone being an odd man out.

But even with Frank Gore, Marcus Lattimore, Carlos Hyde and LaMichael James on roster, it’s sounding like the 49ers are going to try and make things work regardless. As a result, Niners general manager Trent Baalke has noted that James has a place on the roster — as a punt returner.

Matt Barrows from the Sacramento Bee passes along a quote from Baalke that states James’ job on special teams has been too solid to replace.

"“LaMichael James did an excellent job for us a year ago, and that’s his job. We don’t feel an urgency to go out and replace LaMichael. At all. That’s his job.”"

This is unlikely to satisfy James, who was already frustrated with his role on the team before the Niners drafted Hyde on Friday night. It’s unclear what will come of James’ spot on the roster but if he was already unhappy with the amount of plays he was involved in previously, adding another running back isn’t likely to make him feel any better.