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LaMichael James | Running Back

Team: San Francisco 49ers
Age / DOB:  (23) / 10/22/1989
Ht / Wt:  5'8' / 194
College: Oregon
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

LaMichael James rushed just three times for ten yards in San Francisco's Super Bowl XLVII loss to Baltimore.
The 49ers overcame LaMichael James' first-quarter kick return fumble in the NFC Championship Game, but they couldn't escape his fumble to kill a promising drive in the second quarter of the Super Bowl. The ball was popped loose by Ravens OLB Courtney Upshaw, and Baltimore capitalized with a ten-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. The 61st pick in last April's draft, James will likely return as Frank Gore's primary change-of-pace back in 2013, as Kendall Hunter is coming off a torn Achilles'. Feb 3 - 10:52 PM

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Player News

Date:
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

LaMichael James played on 10-of-55 offensive plays in the NFC Championship Game.

The speedy James continues to act in a strict change-of-pace role. In the six games since he took over the backup job, the rookie has averaged 5.8 carries for 30.0 yards and scored one touchdown. Expect similar usage in the Super Bowl.
Source: CSN Bay Area
Jan 23 - 9:35 AM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

LaMichael James rushed five times for 34 yards and a touchdown and caught a four-yard pass in San Francisco's NFC title game win over Atlanta.

James gave the 49ers a major first-quarter scare by fumbling at the end of a kick return, but San Francisco luckily recovered. The second-round rookie atoned by taking a read-option handoff into the end zone for an explosive 15-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Although James has impressive burst and straight-line speed, he lacks elusiveness and struggles to make defenders miss. He is and will remain a change-of-pace back in the NFL
Jan 20 - 6:57 PM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

LaMichael James ran three times for 21 yards and caught a seven-yard pass in the 49ers' Divisional Round playoff win over Green Bay.

James displayed his eye-opening burst on a 14-yard sprint up the middle in the second quarter to move the chains. Otherwise, the Niners' change-of-pace back wasn't much of a factor. James will remain a candidate for 4-7 touches in the NFC title game against Sunday's Seattle-Atlanta winner.
Jan 12 - 11:54 PM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

LaMichael James rushed for 49 yards on seven carries in Sunday's Week 17 win over the Cardinals.

In his four games as an active player, James has seen between six and nine offensive touches in each contest. The second-round rookie back out of Oregon showed his speed on a long run of 26 yards on Sunday. He's here to stay as Frank Gore's change-of-pace back and will continue to fill that role in the playoffs. James rushed for 125 yards on 27 carries in his first regular season.
Sun, Dec 30, 2012 10:47:00 PM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

LaMichael James rushed four times for 15 yards in San Francisco's Week 16 blowout loss to the Seahawks, adding two catches for 14 yards.

It was a quiet night for San Francisco's rookie change-of-pace back. His biggest play came in the fourth quarter, where he bobbled a kick return, pinning the Niners at their own two-yard line. Three of James' six touches came on San Francisco's meaningless final drive. James is here to stay on game-days, but he's not going to do anything more than provide the occasional breather for Frank Gore down the stretch of 2012-13.
Mon, Dec 24, 2012 12:19:00 AM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

LaMichael James rushed eight times for 31 yards in San Francisco's Week 15 win over the Patriots.

James added 133 yards on four kick returns, but was held without a catch in the passing game. Four of James' carries came in the game's final five minutes, where the 49ers interestingly used him as their primary clock-killing back. He was still out-touched 23-8 by Frank Gore, however, and remains a pure handcuff heading into Week 16.
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 01:29:00 AM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

LaMichael James rushed eight times for 30 yards and caught a 15-yard pass in the 49ers' Week 14 win over Miami.

The 49ers used James exactly like they did Kendall Hunter early in the season, employing him primarily as a "space" back who threatened the Dolphins' defense on the perimeter. James' overall yardage performance was hardly dominant, but he definitely added a spark and protected the football, which will help his chances of maintaining a prominent role down the stretch. James won't be a Week 15 fantasy option against the Patriots, but he's an explosive player worth keeping an eye on.
Sun, Dec 9, 2012 07:10:00 PM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

Coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke hinted Tuesday that LaMichael James would have a game-day role going forward.

"It's safe to say that LaMichael is going to start getting his opportunities," Baalke said. "And (I'm) confident that he'll make the most of them when given the opportunity." Frank Gore noted that James has made needed improvements in patience and running in tight spaces, though he's still not as hard to tackle as Kendall Hunter was. Brandon Jacobs was unimpressive as Frank Gore's backup last week.
Source: CSN Bay Area
Tue, Dec 4, 2012 08:10:00 PM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

Even with Kendall Hunter (Achilles) out, rookie RB LaMichael James was a healthy scratch once again in Week 13.

The Niners rolled with Brandon Jacobs as Frank Gore's backup and used Anthony Dixon as insurance. It's a three-headed monster that lacks any big-play ability whatsoever. Still, coach Jim Harbaugh has shown no inclination to use the explosive James. The No. 61 overall pick has been a healthy scratch in every game this season.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Mon, Dec 3, 2012 10:53:00 AM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

According to teammate Anthony Dixon, the 49ers have rookie RB LaMichael James "doing Percy Harvin stuff" on the scout team.

"I watch him every day on the practice field, and he’s making plays, going up to get the ball," Dixon said. "They have him doing Percy Harvin stuff when we’re playing teams like that. ... I feel like he’s going to come in and make plays." James was a Harvin-like talent at Oregon, though he caught just 51 passes in three seasons. As an elite athlete in the 49ers' creative system, however, he'd be worth a gander in PPR leagues if he replaces Kendall Hunter as San Francisco's change-of-pace back. James has yet to be active this season.
Source: CSN Bay Area
Tue, Nov 27, 2012 09:24:00 PM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

49ers coaches work "daily" with rookie RB LaMichael James on handling punt returns.

Frank Gore ranks in the top-five in the NFL in yards per carry and is signed through 2014 while Kendall Hunter is entrenched as the backup. With Ted Ginn due to reach free agency in 2013, James' future could be returning punts and functioning as a change-of-pace back. He's yet to be active for a game this season.
Source: CSN Bay Area
Fri, Nov 9, 2012 01:46:00 PM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

49ers second-round rookie RB LaMichael James has been a healthy scratch in every game this season.

James was a true luxury pick for the Niners. The Niners are deep at running back with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Brandon Jacobs and Anthony Dixon. They're also set in the return game thanks to Ted Ginn and Kyle Williams. James will focus on trying to carve out a specialist role in 2013. First-round WR A.J. Jenkins has also been a healthy scratch in all but one game.
Related: A.J. Jenkins
Source: Sacramento Bee
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 09:47:00 AM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

Rookie RB LaMichael James was a healthy scratch in Week 1.

James didn't dress even though Brandon Jacobs (knee) and Ted Ginn (ankle) were both inactive. The No. 61 overall pick is behind Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon on the depth chart.
Source: CSN Bay Area
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 11:12:00 AM
LaMichael James - RB - 49ers

49ers rookie RB LaMichael James (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday.

X-rays came back negative on James' left ankle sprain. The second-round change-of-pace back should be fine going forward.
Source: CSN Bay Area
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 06:56:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Colin Kaepernick
2Colt McCoy
3Scott Tolzien
4B.J. Daniels
RB1Frank Gore
2Kendall Hunter
3LaMichael James
4Anthony Dixon
5Marcus Lattimore
GLB1Frank Gore
2Kendall Hunter
3RB1Frank Gore
2Kendall Hunter
FB1Bruce Miller
2Alex Debniak
WR11Michael Crabtree
2Quinton Patton
3Mario Manningham
4Ricardo Lockette
5Marlon Moore
WR21Anquan Boldin
2A.J. Jenkins
3Kyle Williams
4Chad Hall
5Joe Hastings
WR31A.J. Jenkins
TE1Vernon Davis
2Vance McDonald
3Garrett Celek
4Cameron Morrah
5MarQueis Gray
K1Phil Dawson