How about San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo?
The fourth-round pick suffered a hamstring injury on Day 1 of training camp that kept him out until the final week of the preseason. He finally got into a game when the 49ers had their final exhibition game Friday night at Allegiant Stadium against the Las Vegas Raiders.
It was clear early on why the 49ers selected Guerendo. He looked comfortable on an early kick return and put together a couple of nice runs on offense where he showed the same smooth running style that made him successful in college.
The Raiders had a punt return for a touchdown that cut the 49ers lead to 10-7, and then Guerendo went to work on the ensuing kickoff with a 93-yard return.
Showing off the speed
@isaacguerendo#SFvsLV on KPIX
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/42gA8LdFYv
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 24, 2024
That’s the kind of thing a player can do to help himself make a roster after getting virtually no practice or game action in before the regular season.
Guerendo got to the sideline, then made a couple of great cuts before running through contact and getting into the open field. His speed was also evident before he ran out of gas and got chased down.
Coaches will want to see him switch the football to his outside arm when he gets to the sideline, but that’s a small nitpick compared to the big play he generated. Guerendo was on the outside looking in at a roster spot entering Friday, but plays like this one will help his case.