SANTA CLARA -- Carlos Hyde says the broken left foot that wouldn’t heal on its own last year is now completely mended. Surgery, which took place before the end of the season and included the insertion of a screw, did the trick.
“That was tough. I tried to battle through it. Foot just couldn’t hold up any longer, I had to take the surgery route, and now my foot is good to go,” Hyde told the media Wednesday in his first comments during the 49ers offseason program. “If we played tomorrow I’d be ready to go.”
Hyde is nearly ready now. The foot injury caused him to miss the final nine games of the 2015 season. The third year running back has not missed any time preparing for 2016.
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“I couldn’t wait to get back. I was praying all offseason, ‘Hurry up, end it because I’ve been out of football for so long.’ So I couldn’t wait to come back and be around the guys. I was really looking forward to it.”
Hyde arrived at the team facility purposely lighter than the 232 pounds he weighed at the start of the 2015 season and plans to maintain his current weight of 225 pounds. He adds that his weight loss wasn’t influenced by new head coach Chip Kelly’s fast-paced offense.
“I spent my offseason just getting my body right, slimming down,” Hyde said. “I saw in these reports I was slimming down for the offense. I was just slimming down for myself. I just don’t want to be weighing too much.”
Hyde has yet to spend a lot of time with his new head coach, but says everything Kelly brings to the 49ers is different from last year - scheme, approach to the game, even a different vibe. But Kelly’s offense is one thing that is familiar to the 24-year-old.
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“I played in this offense in college, so I already know what to expect with this offense, the up tempo, no huddle offense. I’m already kind of familiar with it. I’m excited to be in it once again. I can’t wait.”
What won’t be different about the offense this year under Kelly? It’s success will directly depend on Hyde, as he proved in the 49ers season opener last year in which he rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-3 Monday Night win over Minnesota.
“I want to do that every game. If I do that every game, we’re on the right path.”