Monday, July 22, 2013

RB Marcus Lattimore will start on 49ers' non-football injury list


As expected, Marcus Lattimore will be a spectator when the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers open training camp next week.
The team announced Saturday that Lattimore – a running back from South Carolina who suffered a gruesome knee injury last fall – will open training camp on the active/non-football injury list.
That designation means Lattimore will count against the 90-man roster limit and can be activated at any time before final cuts, though he's expected to miss most, if not all, of his rookie season.
Days before the draft, Lattimore pledged to be ready by Week 1 of the NFL season, though he knew his status would be decided by his future team.
"I know my body," Lattimore told USA Today Sports. "I know when I'll be ready to play. It takes time, I know, but at the beginning of the season, I feel like I should be ready to go."
He landed on the non-football injury list, not the physically unable to perform list, because the injury occurred before the 49ers drafted him in the fourth round (131st overall) in April.
Lattimore, 21, amassed 3,444 yards from scrimmage and 41 touchdowns in three seasons with the Gamecocks. He decided to forgo his senior year despite damaging several ligaments on a hit in a game against Tennessee on Oct. 27 that left his right leg bent in an abnormal direction.
Also placed on the 49ers' non-football injury list were defensive tackles Tank Carradine and Quinton Dial and offensive tackle Luke Marquardt. Receivers Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams, linebacker Darius Fleming and running back Kendall Hunter were placed on the active/physically unable to perform list.
Not listed was receiver Michael Crabtree, who tore an Achilles tendon during organized team activities in May and could be a candidate for injured reserve with designation to return.
Rookies reported to 49ers camp Friday. Veterans are due to report Wednesday.
Lattimore said he's looking forward to learning from 49ers running back Frank Gore, who reached out to him when Lattimore first injured his knee last year. A year after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Lattimore had reconstructive surgery Nov. 2, performed by renowned surgeon James Andrews, to repair the anterior cruciate, lateral collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee. Gore, too, was damaged goods coming out of college.
"Right after it happened, I doubted myself and I lost hope," Lattimore told USA Today Sports after the draft. "But one of my good friends came over, I got a chance to talk to Frank Gore, I got a chance to talk to Willis McGahee, and I realized God doesn't make mistakes. Now I'm with the 49ers. It's just a great, great situation for me."
PHOTOS: NFL rookies to watch in 2013
)Rookies are part of the NFL's fabric, and their impacts on their new teams is often significant. USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis highlights one per club worth watching in 2013.) EJ Manuel, Bills: He was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the 2013 draft. Manuel only needs to beat out Cardinals castoff Kevin Kolb (4) to earn the starting job in Buffalo's first season under new coach Doug Marrone.
)Rookies are part of the NFL's fabric, and their impacts on their new teams is often significant. USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis highlights one per club worth watching in 2013.) EJ Manuel, Bills: He was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the 2013 draft. Manuel only needs to beat out Cardinals castoff Kevin Kolb (4) to earn the starting job in Buffalo's first season under new coach Doug Marrone.  Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY Sports
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  • )Rookies are part of the NFL's fabric, and their impacts on their new teams is often significant. USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis highlights one per club worth watching in 2013.) EJ Manuel, Bills: He was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the 2013 draft. Manuel only needs to beat out Cardinals castoff Kevin Kolb (4) to earn the starting job in Buffalo's first season under new coach Doug Marrone.
  • Dion Jordan, Dolphins: Miami moved up to the draft's No. 3 hole to take Jordan, the first defensive player selected. The Fins are hoping the slender pass rusher can have an Aldon Smith-esque impact.
  • Aaron Dobson, Patriots: His name wasn't on many radars in April, even when New England made him a second-round pick. But the wideout seems to have a golden opportunity to nail down a prominent role in a depleted receiving corps.
  • Dee Milliner, Jets: He will likely be thrust into the lockdown cleats of departed CB Darrelle Revis. But if Milliner can keep visitors to his own island limited, the Jets’ formidable defensive line could become a wrecking force.
  • Matt Elam (pictured) and Arthur Brown, Ravens: Elam (Round 1) and Brown (Round 2) have the enviable tasks of taking over for FS Ed Reed and ILB Ray Lewis, respectively, veterans who have moved on amid paths likely to end in Canton. Baltimore’s defense may or may not be better in 2013, but it will surely be faster.
  • Gio Bernard, Bengals: The 37th pick of the draft, Bernard was first tailback off the board. His ability to make plays in space should make him an ideal foil to mudder BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
  • Barkevious Mingo, Browns: With this greyhound now in the Dawg Pound, Cleveland is anticipating a stalker who can run down AFC North QBs Andy Dalton, Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger.
  • Le’Veon Bell, Steelers: Pittsburgh only ran the ball 412 times in 16 games in 2012 (20th in the NFL) while Bell carried the rock 382 times in 13 games for Michigan State. Look for him to be the man to revitalize a once-formidable ground assault.
  • DeAndre Hopkins, Texans: The first-round pick could make teams pay for double-covering WR Andre Johnson (80) in the short term, and Houston hopes Hopkins eventually succeeds the longtime Pro Bowler as the No. 1 downfield option.
  • Bjoern Werner, Colts: He led the ACC with 13 sacks in 2012. Now the first-round pick from Florida State will be asked to apply pressure at the pro level while making the switch from defensive end to outside linebacker (just as Dwight Freeney did in 2012 with mixed results) in the Colts' 3-4 system.
  • Denard Robinson, Jaguars: Jacksonville lists the record-setting Michigan quarterback as an "OW" -- offensive weapon -- reason enough to watch him closely.
  • Chance Warmack, Titans: If you notice RB Chris Johnson cutting off the back of No. 70, that means the first-round guard is likely doing his job and supercharging the Tennessee running game.
  • Montee Ball, Broncos: Denver didn’t have many weaknesses in 2012, but an inability to milk the clock in the postseason helped lead to the stunning ouster by the Ravens. With RB Willis McGahee now on the street, look for second-rounder Montee Ball to emerge as the bellcow -- provided he can handle pass protection in front of QB Peyton Manning.
  • Eric Fisher, Chiefs: Though there may not be many opportunities to watch a right tackle, it's always worth monitoring any draft's No. 1 selection. And if Fisher (72) can help safeguard new QB Alex Smith and create more room for RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City just might get into the playoff race.
  • D.J. Hayden, Raiders: He overcame a near-fatal injury in college, required abdominal surgery after the draft and now must fend off the crosshairs of Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, et al. The world may be rooting for this cornerback, but Hayden has plenty to prove, especially after facing Conference-USA competition at Houston.
  • Manti Te’o, Chargers: All eyes in San Diego will be on the headline-making linebacker this season. Can he hold up against speedy AFC West RBs Jamaal Charles and Darren McFadden? Will he get abused in coverage by Peyton Manning and others? Will he be embraced by his teammates? Stay tuned (but also keep an eye on T D.J. Fluker and WR Keenan Allen).
  • Terrance Williams, Cowboys: The Baylor product moves up the road after leading the Big 12 in receiving yards in 2012 (1,832). The third-rounder won't post such numbers for Dallas, but he -- like Laurent Robinson and Kevin Ogletree before him -- could make his presence felt as QB Tony Romo's slot receiver.
  • Damontre Moore, Giants: He displayed first-round talent in 2012 after logging 12.5 sacks for Texas A&M. He'll need to sharpen his moves and bulk up, but Moore could become a factor on passing downs for a team that let DE Osi Umenyiora go in free agency.
  • Zach Ertz, Eagles: While at Stanford, the tight end caused plenty of headaches for former Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Now they've joined forces in Philadelphia, and Ertz could quickly emerge as one of the weapons in Kelly's highly anticipated offense.
  • David Amerson, Redskins: He brings a gambling reputation from N.C. State, and new teammate DeAngelo Hall can provide a first-hand account of how freelancing serves NFL corners. Amerson should battle immediately for the nickel role and may have Hall's job by next season.
  • Jon Bostic, Bears: With Brian Urlacher retired, the second rounder has a shot at moving into the NFL's most glorious positions – Chicago middle linebacker -- if he can displace veteran D.J. Williams.
  • Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, Lions: The Ghana native and BYU product is short on football experience but long on potential. He'll be asked to provide pressure for a squad that lost last year's starting defensive ends, Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch.
  • Eddie Lacy (pictured, 27) and Johnathan Franklin, Packers: Green Bay has never ranked better than 14th running the ball since QB Aaron Rodgers replaced Brett Favre in 2008. Yes, the team has clearly fielded offenses that shock and awe, but the arrival of the rookie runners could provide balance that's frequently been lacking, especially at playoff time.
  • Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings: He’s one of Minnesota’s three Round 1 choices (the first time a team has had such a trio since 2001). Though Patterson's receiving skills need polish, defenses will have to respect his deep speed. Even if he doesn't make an instant impact for QB Christian Ponder, look for him to make his presence felt as a return man.
  • Desmond Trufant, Falcons: Now that CBs Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson have moved on, Atlanta’s Round 1 choice will almost surely be thrust into a major role and will probably start in 2013 ... while wearing Deion Sanders' old jersey number. That's a big responsibility, especially in the pass-happy NFC South.
  • Kenjon Barner, Panthers: The former Oregon Duck was only a sixth-round pick, but he's got the first-rate burners to make a difference in Carolina’s offense, possibly as its third-down back.
  • Kenny Vaccaro, Saints: He joins a defense that allowed the most yards in NFL history last season. Look for Vaccaro to crack the starting lineup at safety and perhaps move into the slot in nickel packages.
  • Mike Glennon, Buccaneers: Tampa Bay sent its first-round pick to the Jets for CB Darrelle Revis, and none of the Bucs’ rookies are likely to start. But keep an eye on the third-round passer in preseason. If Glennon (8) plays reasonably well, he could replace Dan Orlovsky as Josh Freeman's backup; if Glennon really flashes, Freeman (5) could be looking for a job elsewhere in 2014 with his contract set to expire.
  • Tyrann Mathieu, Cardinals: Is he a corner? A safety? A returner? A Honey Badger? He's distancing himself from the infamous nickname even as Arizona asks him to embrace a hybrid safety/nickel role in the hopes Mathieu can make the game-changing plays he produced for LSU in 2011. And he might give former Bayou Bengal teammate Patrick Peterson (21) a rest on special teams, too.
  • Tavon Austin, Rams: Expect St. Louis to get creative in finding ways to put the ball into the hands of Austin, who caught 114 passes for 1,289 yards and rushed for 643 yards last season at West Virginia. He should also get a shot to produce as a returner and seems to already be on the rookie of the year short list among preseason prognosticators.
  • Eric Reid, 49ers: The departure of all-pro FS Dashon Goldson was the biggest hit to the San Francisco defense in the offseason. The Niners' first-round pick may be charged with helping one of the NFL's sturdiest defenses maintain its rep.
  • Christine Michael, Seahawks: He didn't always endear himself to Texas A&M coaches, but Michael is already turning heads in Seattle. Barring injury, he won't take too many of RB Marshawn Lynch's carries in the immediate future, but there will come a day when the Seahawks have to write a big check to QB Russell Wilson and won't be able to afford Lynch. It may not take Michael long to get noticed as he begins his NFL apprenticeship.

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