Jewel

Hampton

A fifth-round pick this year, Fleming tore his ACL ten minutes into training camp. Hampton tore both ACLs at Iowa before transferring to Southern Illinois. Coach Jim Harbaugh revealed in late July that the undrafted free agent had bone spurs removed from a “lower extremity.” Both players are eligible to be removed from NFI in Week 7. We don’t expect to see either this year, though.

Rookie Jewel Hampton was activated from the NFI/reserved list in a corresponding move. Hunter averaged 5.2 yards per on 72 carries over 11 games in his second season, emerging as the lesser half of the NFL’s most effective backfield tandem. As promising as Demaryius Thomas, Terrell Suggs, and Mikel Leshoure have been in their returns from Achilles tears, Hunter should be stashed on Dynasty league rosters. He has a good chance to return for training camp in August.

Hampton tore both ACLs at Iowa before transferring to Southern Illinois. Coach Jim Harbaugh said in late July that the undrafted free agent had bone spurs removed from a “lower extremity.” The 49ers have three weeks to activate Hampton. As deep as the team is at running back, though, Hampton is more likely to stay on the reserve/non-football injury list for the rest of the season.

Signed as an undrafted rookie out of Southern Illinois, Hampton spent the majority of his rookie year on PUP, and didn’t appear in a game. The 49ers may be high on Hampton’s talent, but already have Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Anthony Dixon under contract at running back. Hampton would likely need Dixon to fall back out of favor to have any chance of making the 53-man roster.

Hampton, Gray, and Jacobs in particular will be practice squad candidates. Hampton was competing for one roster spot with Anthony Dixon, and Dixon won out.

The Niners “really like” 2012 UDFA Hampton, who redshirted as a rookie. The job is expected to come down to special teams, where Dixon excelled last season. Dixon and Hampton are vying for the No. 4 running back job. Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, and LaMichael James are locked in as the top three backs.

Hampton lost out to Anthony Dixon for the final roster spot in the Niners’ backfield last summer, but the team reportedly really liked him. McBLT will compete to be Colin Kaepernick’s backup.

Hampton bounced around the fringes of San Francisco’s roster for three years, but never appeared in a regular-season game. Now 25, his NFL chance has come and gone.

Hampton was liked by the 49ers last year, but he was bringing up the rear of the depth chart. McBLT was the No. 4 quarterback. Wylie is a slot receiver-only.