Bruising rookie Kaelon Black making noise in 49ers’ running back room

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers’ trademark play is outdoors zone, a run in which the offensive line flows in one path and the running back is required to make a fast choice.

Though he’s solely a rookie out of Indiana, Kaelon Black already seems snug discovering a seam and taking over contact in his first preseason. Black took eight carries in Thursday’s victory over the Chargers and turned them into 33 yards.

Such manufacturing in a zone-based scheme was nothing new for a back who piled up 2,261 yards and 16 touchdowns in 4 seasons cut up throughout James Madison and Indiana.

“I would definitely say it’s about the time put in and just being focused on the details,” Black stated Saturday. “I ran a lot of zone in Indiana, and even at James Madison with the same coach … but you’re on a different level now, this is the pro leagues, so you have to stick your foot in the ground and have to get vertical and impose your will.”

Though Patrick Taylor is on the injured reserve and Isaac Guerendo continues to be on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) checklist, the 49ers’ running back room is starting to take form.

Star Christian McCaffrey is predicted to be able to play by the point the 49ers kick off the common season in Australia towards the Los Angeles Rams, Sincere McCormick has carved out a task for himself, Jordan James returned to apply and ran with the second string offense after battling a rib damage and now Black is making an impression.

Bruising runs have been Black’s speciality on Indiana’s nationwide championship-winning group, and with a 208-pound body, he has the power to run by means of contact on the professional stage, too.

But the rookie wished to give attention to his means to guard the passer, one thing he might want to do if he desires to carve out a task in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

That has been an space of the sport he and longtime running backs coach Bobby Turner have honed in on since Black joined the group.

“He’s very hard on me and making sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing on the field,” Black stated. “He has very high expectations for me.”

The subsequent time Black and the 49ers can be in motion is Thursday, once they journey to Las Vegas to play the Raiders – and Black’s IU teammate Fernando Mendoza – in the preseason finale.

MORRIS TALKS ROOKIES

Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris gave his ideas on the progress made by a pair of 49ers rookies throughout the preseason.

Fifth-round choice Jaden Dugger continues to be a uncooked product popping out of Louisiana, however the 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker is getting alternatives in apply to attempt his hand at a wide range of spots. He had two tackles and a cross defensed towards the Chargers.

“He’s finding his role, he’s finding his niche and he’s doing some really good things,” Morris stated. “He’s one of the people who rushed the passer before in college, and you’ve seen him off the ball cover in college … you’ve seen him in the secondary. We’ve seen him do a bunch of different things in college, and he’s (going to try to) translate that skillset into what we’ve taught him.”

Edge rusher Romello Height is but to document a sack or strain, however Morris believed the 25-year-old rookie displayed enchancment in Thursday’s recreation in comparison with his debut. Height had a sort out for loss towards the Chargers.

“He showed a little bit of flash in the first game, showed a little bit more this game, and he’s got more left out there, so there’s more meat on the bone,” Morris stated.

INJURY UPDATES

Starting cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and standout rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling have been listed as day-to-day with shoulder accidents. Meanwhile, defensive sort out CJ West and offensive lineman Dominick Puni returned from concussions.