After Reggie Bush suffered a fluke knee injury on Sunday that will likely end his season, the 49ers figure to be in the market for running back help. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), one player the team is eyeing as a potential Bush replacement is veteran free agent Ben Tate, who will work out for San Francisco tomorrow.
Tate, 27, was viewed as a potential breakout candidate heading into the 2014 season, but saw his stock drop significantly last year, as he failed to produce consistently for the Browns, Vikings, and Steelers. The poor showing has made it challenging for Tate to find work this season — he has worked out for the Cowboys, Lions, and Chiefs since becoming a free agent, but has yet to find a new home.
As for the Niners, the Bush injury is the latest in a string of them in the team’s backfield. Carlos Hyde is dealing with a foot injury, and rookie Mike Davis suffered a fractured hand in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). San Francisco waived Jarryd Hayne on Saturday, with head coach Jim Tomsula explaining that the Niners wanted a heavier runner for the game against St. Louis, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Hayne was replaced on the roster by 238-pound Kendall Gaskins.
While Bush is one possibility for the Niners, he’s hardly the only one. The club could also consider Pierre Thomas, who previously worked out for San Francisco, and re-signing Hayne is an option as well, assuming he clears waivers today.