LAS VEGAS — Running back Jerick McKinnon, signed by the 49ers in 2018 to serve as an offensive catalyst, will be suiting up to play against them in Super Bowl LVIII for the Kansas City Chiefs.
McKinnon came off Injured Reserve on Saturday to become eligible for today’s game, having recovered from core-muscle surgery.
The 49ers, in their second year under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, signed McKinnon as a 2018 free agent to a four-year, $30 million deal. A week before that 2018 season opener, he sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and a follow-up procedure the following year delayed his 49ers’ debut until the 2020 season.
McKinnon joined the Chiefs in 2021, and, today, will serve as a backfield option with Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Running back La’Michal Perine was among the Chiefs players deactivated 90 minutes before kickoff. McKinnon rejoined the active roster once the Chiefs put All-Pro guard Joe Thuney on Injured Reserve on Saturday.
The 49ers had no surprises among the seven players they deactivated before kickoff: Linebacker Jalen Graham, offensive tackle Matt Pryor, wide receiver Ronnie Bell, defensive tackle T.Y. McGill, defensive lineman Alex Barrett, cornerback Sam Womack and quarterback Brandon Allen (No. 3 emergency option).
The Chiefs’ other inactive were: Wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Justyn Ross; cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe; defensive end B.J. Thopmson and linebacker Darius Harris.
SMITH DEFENDS PURDY
As Brock Purdy becomes the fifth 49ers quarterback to start a Super Bowl, his merits were still being debated Sunday morning leading up to kickoff against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Purdy is the 49ers’ 22nd quarterback since Steve Young delivered their sixth and most recent Lombardi Trophy in the 1994 season. Among those 22 is Alex Smith, the 2005 draft’s No. 1 pick who’s now an ESPN analyst, a role in which he continued his staunch defense of Purdy onto Sunday…
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