As soon as a player on a reserve list is allowed to practice, a 21-day window opens. At the end of those three weeks, a decision must be made whether to promote the player to the 53-man roster, place him on season-ending injured reserve or release him.
If Marcus Lattimore’s practice window opened on Monday, the 49ers would have to make a decision on Nov. 16, the day of their game at the New York Giants. Coach Jim Harbaugh said the team would be able to make a better evaluation on a Monday or Tuesday after that game.
The 49ers have been patient with Lattimore. They did not rush him back onto the field during training camp. And they waited two extra days to have him begin practice because it was the right thing to do.
Right now, Lattimore appears to be insurance for the remainder of the season. And that’s OK. The 49ers are in no rush. He figures to be a part of the organization for years to come.
Lattimore is unlikely to make much of a fantasy impact this season barring an injury to Frank Gore and/or Carlos Hyde. He remains in the mix in dynasty formats, but Hyde seems to be the RB to own in San Francisco in dynasty leagues.
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