San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black has already earned the rare, coveted trust of Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows.
Under Shanahan and John Lynch, rookie leeway has historically been practically non-existent. Since 2017, the franchise has drafted seven running backs, but only Elijah Mitchell burst onto the scene with 19 carries in a season opener and remains the lone draft pick to crack 1,000 career yards for the team.
Mid-round selections are frequently phased out or left fighting an uphill battle, but Black appears to be different after his rookie debut.
As backfield mate Christian McCaffrey manages workload and competitors like Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James face hurdles,
Black has wasted no time altering the script. Proving his preseason flashes translated directly to the regular-season stage, the rookie debuted with a stellar 65 yards on 14 carries, securing an immediate rotational snap share.
With the coaching staff firmly in his corner, Black is well on his way to proving he is the exception to the rule.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers RB Kaelon Black earns rare rookie trust after NFL debut
