Kory

Sheets

Sheets also got a workout with the Colts in December, so he remains on the NFL’s radar. Turning 28 in May, Sheets went undrafted out of Purdue in 2009, before briefly spending time with the 49ers and Dolphins. Sheets earned MVP of Canadian Football’s Grey Cup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, rushing for 197 yards on 20 carries in a CFL title win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Sheets, 29 next month, was signed as an UDFA out of Purdue in 2009 by the 49ers and made his NFL debut with the Dolphins in October of the same year. He’s spent the past two seasons in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, rushing for 2,875 yards and 23 touchdowns on 516 carries. Sheets led Saskatchewan to a Grey Cup title in November and earned MVP honors.

The Raiders surprised everyone by re-signing Darren McFadden and letting Rashad Jennings go. Of course, that could very well end up as a blessing for Murray. McFadden has missed 29 games over the last six seasons and averaged just 3.29 YPC since Hue Jackson left following the 2011 campaign. The talented Murray won’t have a problem beating out Jeremy Stewart and Kory Sheets.

Oddly a 2011 media favorite in Miami, Sheets didn’t even make it to final cuts with the Dolphins last season. The 27-year-old has two career NFL appearances.

The Colts are kicking the tires on possible running back additions for next season. Sheets was the MVP of the CFL’s Grey Cup this year while playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. On the season, he rushed 287 times for 1,598 yards. The former 49er and Dolphin hits the open market on Feb. 15.

We thought San Francisco would invest in a bruiser to pair with Frank Gore, but Glen Coffee and now Sheets offer different skill sets. Sheets can block and make people miss, making him a fine candidate to be a third-down back. It wouldn’t totally shock us if he outplays Coffee and/or makes the team.

Sheets criticized his quarterback, Curtis Painter, and Joe Tiller’s game plans after a loss to Northwestern, and the coaching staff banned him from speaking to the media thereafter. He was talented enough to get drafted, but the coaches may have been hesitant to endorse him.

Clayton’s been with the club since ’07 and theoretically should be ahead of Sheets. The 49ers will probably only keep three tailbacks, so Sheets and Clayton likely are fighting for one spot behind Frank Gore and Glen Coffee. San Fran can go thin because FB Michael Robinson can carry it in a pinch.

With Patrick Cobbs (knee) out for the season, Hilliard is the clear No. 3 running back. He has great size and power and could be a factor if anything happens to Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams.

Sheets, a speedster with good hands but no pass-blocking ability, will likely be a game-day inactive in Miami as the fourth-string running back.