Lynch confirms McKinnon will remain with 49ers

When the San Francisco 49ers signed running back Tevin Coleman to a two-year, $8.5-million contract on the first day of free agency, it put the future of another runner the team added last offseason in jeopardy.

Jerick McKinnon, who signed a four-year, $30-million deal with San Francisco last year, won't have his 2019 salary fully guaranteed until April 1. However, Niners general manager John Lynch said Monday the team has no intention of letting the running back go to save money.

"Jerick is going to be a part of us. We're excited to see that through," Lynch said at the annual league meeting, according to Matt Maiocco of NBCSports Bay Area.

McKinnon has yet to play for the 49ers, as he missed the entire 2018 campaign after tearing his ACL a week before the regular-season opener.

"Jerick's working incredibly hard. He's always had a chip on his shoulder because that was his first opportunity to be the guy," Lynch added. "I'm sure he'll have a bigger chip on his shoulder. But he's very much a part of our plans."