Running back Alfred Morris will sign a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, pending a physical. Morris spent the last two seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers needed depth at the position following a number of injuries in their pre-season opener.
The #49ers are signing veteran FA RB Alfred Morris, given their recent string of injuries at the position.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 13, 2018
San Francisco 49ers to Sign Free Agent Running Back Alfred Morris
Morris has been one of the most consistent and underrated running backs in the NFL since his emergence in 2012. A sixth-round pick from Florida Atlantic by the Washington Redskins, Morris emerged as a rookie dark horse heading into the 2012 season. He remained the starter in Washington for four seasons before heading to Dallas as a backup.
Last season, Morris started as the backup to Ezekiel Elliott. After Elliott’s suspension kicked in, Morris went from an occasional spelling role to a full starter, especially since Darren McFadden retired earlier. Morris accumulated 547 rushing yards on 115 attempts, one touchdown and 4.8 yards per carry.
As a rookie, then Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan made Morris the bell cow back and Morris delivered by winning the rushing title. Starting all 16 games, Morris rushed 335 times for 1,613 yards, 13 touchdowns and 4.8 yards per carry.
His next couple of seasons were never as good, even when he was getting 200+ carries per season. In his last season under head coach Jay Gruden, Morris lost his role in a committee backfield and only scored once. As a Redskin, he rushed for 4,713 yards and 29 touchdowns on 1,078 carries.
Morris, from Pensacola, FL, played his college ball at Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton. In college, he rushed for 3,531 yards and 27 touchdowns on 731 attempts. He was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference player. To date in the league, he has 5,503 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry.
