Marcus Lattimore Injury: Updates on 49ers RB's Knee and Recovery

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 5 

The San Francisco 49ers announced that Marcus Lattimore is retiring from the NFL: 

The 49ers provided comments from Lattimore:

"

After prayer and careful consideration, I have decided it’s time to end my professional football career. I have given my heart and soul to the game that I love, and it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life and help others. I have given every ounce of my energy toward making a full recovery from my knee injury, and I have made a lot of progress. Unfortunately, getting my knee fully back to the level the NFL demands has proven to be insurmountable.

I am grateful for the entire 49ers organization. Their decision to draft me was the realization of a lifelong dream to be an NFL player, and I cannot thank them enough for believing in me and for doing everything in their power to assist in my recovery. I will always be a 49er!

Though I am proud of what I have accomplished throughout my football career, I am sincerely disappointed that it must end, but I trust that God has a great plan for my future. As for what’s next, I will be returning to the University of South Carolina to complete my degree.

"

Updates from Monday, Nov. 3

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provides a statement from Michael Perrett, Marcus Lattimore's agent, refuting ESPN's Adam Caplan report that Lattimore has decided he will retire from the NFL:

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee later reported "Lattimore is not believed to have suffered any structural damage in the knee since his return to practice last week." 

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 2

Marcus Lattimore did not play in Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Rams, and according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group, he wasn't even at the stadium:

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area added: 

Maiocco further discussed Lattimore and how the running back reportedly views his status in the NFL:

"

Lattimore experienced soreness in his surgically repaired right knee after two days of practices. He did not practice on Friday, and a source told CSNBayArea.com that everything was “up in the air.” Lattimore is deciding whether he wants to continue his comeback attempt.

“Nobody knows Marcus’ body like Marcus, so he has to think some things over,” the source said.

"

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 29 

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group provides comments from Marcus Lattimore, who speaks about his gradual return to action:

"

Marcus Lattimore celebrated his 23^rd birthday Wednesday with a much-anticipated return to the 49ers practice field.

“I’m excited, happy, nervous, anxious, I mean all kinds of emotions, because I feel ready,” Lattimore said. “I’m blessed to be in this position, thanks to the 49ers.

[...]

I’m stronger, definitely quicker. I didn’t have any confidence going out there last year,” Lattimore said. “I feel stronger, my knee feels better.

It was a huge injury, so I knew it would take time. I just didn’t know it would take this long. But I feel good.

"

Original Text

San Francisco 49ers running back Marcus Lattimore has yet to play a down in the NFL in recovering from a major knee injury. Now he is close to realizing the dream to play pro football.    

Head coach Jim Harbaugh made an encouraging announcement on Lattimore's progress Monday, per the team's official Twitter account:

There is no need to press Lattimore back too soon. The former South Carolina college star will be competing for carries as it is, as the Niners have veteran Frank Gore and dynamic rookie Carlos Hyde already in the backfield.

However, if Lattimore, a 2013 fourth-round draft pick, proves he can play over the next several weeks, he should vie for at least some touches. Gore is 31 years old, so Lattimore should eventually have the chance to form a strong 1-2 punch with Hyde as San Francisco's RB tandem of the future.