Kendall

Gaskins

The 49ers waived Gaskins in May, but may have not loved what they saw from Mike Davis and rookie Kelvin Taylor at OTAs/minicamp. 25-year-old Gaskins managed 38 yards on 16 carries last season. He shouldn’t make the final 53.

The Niners cut Gaskins, Corey Acosta, Jordan Devey and Dylan Thompson Friday to make room for their rookie class. Gaskins appeared in nine games last season, rushing 16 times for 38 yards. Carlos Hyde, who missed the final nine games with a stress fracture, will open 2016 as the Niners’ bellcow.

Carlos Hyde (foot) was ruled out over the weekend, and Gaskins got the promotion from the practice squad. After Reggie Bush tore his ACL in the first quarter and rookie Mike Davis hurt his hand in the third quarter, Gaskins was the only running back left. If Gaskins gets the starting nod in Week 9 against the Falcons, he still won’t be a recommended fantasy option.

Gaskins played 29 snaps after Reggie Bush and Mike Davis went down last week. He’s been in OC Geep Chryst’s system all year and should lead the 49ers’ Week 9 backfield. Recently-signed Pierre Thomas will likely be limited to pass-down work.

DuJuan Harris logged 12 touches, Jarryd Hayne logged 14, and Gaskins was the No. 3 back with two touches. Gaskins led San Francisco’s backfield after Shaun Draughn’s Week 15 knee injury, but Hayne started this game and Harris showed the hottest hand. The distribution for Week 17 against the Rams is unclear.

With Shaun Draughn (knee) leaving early, Gaskins handled eight touches, Travaris Cadet logged six, and FB Bruce Miller chipped in three touches, including a goal-line touchdown. Gaskins or Cadet will be the 49ers’ lead back when San Francisco visits Detroit in Week 16.

Thanks for the help, guys. We are guessing Gaskins gets the start, but the 49ers left the door open for Harris to start, and also activated Jarryd Hayne late this week. The 49ers’ inactives are RB Shaun Draughn, LB Corey Lemonier, WR Jerome Simpson, LB Michael Wilhoite, CB Chris Davis, OL Marcus Martin, and OL Brandon Thomas.

The 49ers are expected to have a Week 9 committee, but Gaskins should get the first chance at carries. Thomas is a 30-year-old back that hasn’t played since 2014, and Shaun Draughn is a career special teamer. Gaskins is the favorite for early-down/red-zone work, but isn’t more than a desperation RB4.

Our popcorn is ready.

Hillis is in a battle with Michael Cox and Kendall Gaskins for the third running back spot behind Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams. He won’t win the job without getting back on the field soon. The painfully slow Hillis has averaged 3.58 YPC over his last 319 NFL carries.