Bruce

Miller

Miller is going to have a hard time getting cleared on a short week. Veteran Moran Norris will likely be active against the Ravens on Thursday, with tight end Justin Peelle serving as insurance at lead blocker.

Miller is expected to play against the Cardinals on Sunday, likely sending Moran Norris back to the inactive list. The Niners figure to have no trouble running the ball this week.

Moran Norris was inactive, so the Niners were forced to use three-tight end sets in their power formations. Miller likely suffered a concussion.

Rookie Bruce Miller was seeing first-team snaps in training camp, so there shouldn’t be much of a drop-off. A converted defensive end, Miller may actually be an improvement on Norris in the run-blocking department.

Per coach Jim Harbaugh, Miller’s injury “doesn’t look good.” The 49ers are expected to sign Owen Marecic off of their practice squad. In addition to being a surprisingly big part of San Francisco’s passing game this season, Miller has graded out as a top-four lead blocker in Pro Football Focus’ ratings.

Miller took a big hit from Bucs S Keith Tandy in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win after making a ten-yard catch. He isn’t just some guy for the 49ers. Miller is one of the best lead blockers in the biz and is a contributor as a pass catcher. The 49ers may look at ex-Stanford FB Owen Marecic as a replacement.

One of the league’s better lead blockers, Miller is going into the final year of his rookie contract. Also an able pass catcher, Miller is a favorite of coach Jim Harbaugh. Considering the vanishingly-little leverage held by any fullback, the sides should be able to come to an agreement.

Miller suffered the injury in Sunday’s win over the Bucs. He’ll now miss the rest of the regular season and won’t be available for the playoffs. Miller had graded out as a top-four fullback by Pro Football Focus, so it’s a significant loss to the 49ers’ running game. DL/FB Will Tukuafu has been re-signed to replace him on the active roster.

Miller began his career at fullback but has spent the offseason making the transition to tight end. Apparently he’s getting some work at receiver as well. Miller dropped weight to improve his mobility and has studied film of Brent Celek, Zach Ertz and Jason Witten. “He can just do a little bit of everything pretty good,” said OC Curtis Modkins. “So we’re excited about him.”

The release comes after Miller’s arrest at a San Francisco hotel where he allegedly beat up two strangers. One of the men was 70. Miller was intoxicated. Miller was previously arrested in 2015 on domestic violence charges. Miller is a decent lead blocker with soft hands, but the 49ers should move on relatively painlessly at fullback.