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49ers running back Raheem Mostert had surgery Friday to repair his broken right arm. He will be placed on injured reserve and miss the remainder of the season, Kyle Shanahan told reporters Friday afternoon. Mostert broke his arm on a run in the third quarter of San Francisco’s 34-3 win over the Oakland Raiders Thursday night.
Two of the 49ers’ top four running backs entering the season are now out for the remainder of the year. Jerick McKinnon suffered a torn ACL one week before Week 1. The team’s remaining healthy backs have dwindled to Matt Breida and Alfred Morris.
Shanahan said he has not yet decided whether he will promote either practice squad running back, Jeff Wilson or Matt Dayes, to the 53-man roster. The 49ers head coach hinted at bringing in free agents for tryouts, as the 49ers have 11 days to rest before their Monday night matchup with the New York Giants.
Mostert’s injury was unfortunate considering the trajectory of his season. He made the 53-man roster largely because he is one of the top special teams gunners in the league, but he recently turned into an important, explosive offensive contributor.
Mostert, who entered the 2018 season with just seven career carries, did not record a rush this season until Week 3. His next carry resulted in a fumble in Week 5, but he bounced back. One game later, Mostert recorded career-highs in rushes (12) and yards (87) against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 6.
“He has really taken a step up,” Shanahan told reporters Friday. “He got his opportunity with some injuries and faced some adversity when he got his opportunity with the turnover. He has completely bounced back and made himself a hell of a back.”
In the past four weeks, Mostert ran for 250 yards on 28 carries, equating to an 8.9 yards-per-carry average. On Thursday night, he ripped a 52-yard touchdown run, the longest play of his career, on the possession before he was injured. He finished with seven carries for 86 yards.
“We all know that he has made these team and stuff because of special teams,” Shanahan said. “These last few weeks, he has definitely made this team regardless of special teams. He has been very good on offense. It’s going to be a huge loss for us, but it will open up some opportunities for other people just like some opportunities were opened up for him.”
The video of Mostert’s injury is shown below. WARNING: it is gruesome.
https://twitter.com/DCBarno/status/1058185821419986944
