The San Francisco 49ers are set to begin OTAs next week, which will give head coach Kyle Shanahan a first time to see vets and incoming rookies together in one setting. There’s a lot of intrigue surrounding the 49ers as they’ve undergone a lot of change this offseason, setting up an interesting training camp.
That said, several former 49ers are still sitting in free agency, waiting to see if a team will sign them in the coming weeks or by the start of training camp this summer. Veteran running back Jeff Wilson is among those ex-49er players who will hopefully play in 2025.
Wilson spent the last 2.5 seasons with the Miami Dolphins after the 49ers traded the veteran playmaker ahead of the deadline during the 2022 season. Wilson played well in his final eight games in a 49ers uniform, rushing for 468 yards and two touchdowns on 92 carries.
The veteran running back continued that momentum to the Dolphins, recording 392 yards and three scores on the ground on 84 carries in the last eight games.
However, in the 2023 season, Wilson saw his production dip due to injury. He had 188 yards on 41 carries, adding 14 receptions (17 targets) for 85 yards in 10 games. The ex-49er running back missed the first six games of that season due to finger and midsection injuries.
Last season, Wilson didn’t deal with injuries but saw his playing time decrease (71 offensive snaps – 148 in 2023). He was way down on the depth chart, as Wilson had 57 yards on 16 carries in nine games.
The injury bug has followed the 29-year-old running back in his NFL career, dating back to his time with the 49ers.
In 2020, Wilson missed four games with a calf strain and a high ankle sprain. Then in 2021, he missed eight games because of a torn meniscus. Coincidentally, the 2020 season was Wilson’s best in the Bay Area. He had 600 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 126 carries, adding 13 receptions (28 targets) for 133 yards and three scores.
At this stage of his career, Wilson likely isn’t a feature back or maybe a high-quality RB2. But he could be a solid RB3, who can step up in case of injury as a runner and in the passing game.
Nonetheless, Wilson might be waiting to sign, as guys like J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Nick Chubb are still available in free agency.