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SAN JOSE — Running back Alfred Morris is officially a 49er, and now the question becomes how much is up to him to earn an opening-day roster spot.
Morris, 29, signed a one-year deal Tuesday only after the 49ers’ depth was depleted by recent injuries to starter Jerick McKinnon and backup Matt Breida.
Neither McKinnon (strained calf) nor Breida (separated shoulder) figure to play in the remaining three exhibitions, so Morris should have ample opportunities to show whether he should stick ahead of younger backs such as Joe Williams, Raheem Mostert and Jeremy McNichols.
Morris has been a free agent since his two-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys expired after this past season. He played his first four NFL seasons in Washington, flourishing in 2012 and ’13 under then-coach Mike Shanahan and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the latter now serving as the 49ers coach.
“He’s getting in late but we’ll see how he does over these next few weeks,” Kyle Shanahan said Monday prior to the 49ers’ flight to Houston for this week’s practices and exhibition against the Texans. “If he’s running the same way he always has, he’ll have a chance.”
Financial terms were not disclosed by the 49ers nor Morris’ agent.
Guard Alan Knott, an undrafted rookie from South Carolina, was waived in a corresponding roster move.
