49ers RB Frank Gore is the starter, having logged more than 2,100 career carries and posting seven 1,000-yard seasons in his nine-year tenure. But Gore will be 31 years old when the season begins, and the 49ers want to limit his carries so he can last. Kendall Hunter and Marcus Lattimore can be the guys who help save that wear and tear.
“Me and Kendall want to have a chance to do that,” Lattimore said. “Go out there and help that team. If we can go and take some pressure of Frank, we can also help (Colin Kaepernick) move around.”
As for the regular season, Lattimore won’t be tempted to approach fiery coach Jim Harbaugh for playing time during a game.
“If he wants to put me in, he’ll put me in,” Lattimore said, laughing. “If I prove it in practice, I don’t think there’s no excuse why I can’t play. I’m ready.”
Lattimore was considered the most talented RB in the Class of ’13 prior to the dislocated knee he suffered in October of 2012. He’ll be nearly two years removed from the injury at the start of the 2014 season and is expected to push Kendall Hunter (and perhaps a declining Frank Gore) for playing time.
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