Journeyman Draughn has been a find at running back.
Journeyman draws raves for sudden role as every-down back
SANTA CLARA — As a newcomer himself to the 49ers starting offense, guard Andrew Tiller appreciates how reliable running back Shaun Draughn has become in place of injured Carlos Hyde.
How reliable? Draughn played all 56 offensive snaps in Sunday’s 19-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
“Shaun runs hard. I like Shaun back there,” Tiller said Monday. “He’s getting into a groove. He’s got our trust up front.”
Draughn made his starting debut three games ago, as did quarterback Blaine Gabbert. It’s also about the same time Tiller took over at right guard for Jordan Devey.
The 49ers (3-8) remain far from boasting a potent offense, but encouraging signs have emerged as they head into Sunday’s game at the Chicago Bears.
The Bears are among Draughn’s seven former employers. He joined them at the start of the 2014 offseason and was cut two days after they spoiled the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium opener, a 28-20 Bears win that included two Draughn penalties on special teams.
“That guy is playing his tail off from a protection standpoint, running the football, catching the football out of the backfield,” Gabbert said after Sunday’s game. “He’s what you want in a running back.”
Before Draughn became an every-down option, he was an every-town journeyman.
He entered the NFL in 2011 as an undrafted rookie with Washington, then bounced to Kansas City, Baltimore, Indianapolis, the Bears, San Diego, Cleveland and, on Nov. 2, the 49ers.
“Shaun has done a real nice job,” coach Jim Tomsula said. “He’s sturdy. He’s running well, running hard. His pass protection the past week was really good. He’s doing everything as an every-down back.”
That has meant no carries the past two games for Draughn’s backups, Kendall Gaskins and Travaris Cadet.
Hyde hasn’t played or practiced since Oct. 22 because of a stress fracture in his left foot, and his status remains day-to-day.
“Other teams didn’t give me this shot, but the 49ers did and I was definitely going to take it and run like a wild man when I got the chance,” Draughn said after the game Sunday.
Draughn’s workload last game went beyond his 15 carries for 51 yards and five catches for 35 yards. His pass protection didn’t go unnoticed by those who appreciated it most.
“He just sticks his face up in there,” Tiller said. “He doesn’t care who’s blitzing. He’s going to stick his hat in there and pick up that block.”
Such reliability as a blocker — and all-around experience — is what the 49ers hoped they were getting when they signed Draughn rather than recall Australian rookie Jarryd Hayne from the practice squad.
“Coming up, teams stapled me as a third-down back, not an every-down back,” Draughn said. “But (running backs coach) Tom Rathman has played this game and he is coaching me up to do all I can do.”
Upon hearing Monday that Draughn is on his eighth team, Tiller reacted with surprise, then added, “That’s their loss.”
Tomsula praised Quinton n Dial’s pass-rushing form rather than rip the officials for Sunday’s roughing penalty against Carson Palmer, which factored into the Cardinals’ winning drive.
Dial sacked Palmer for an 8-yard loss at the Cardinals’ 24-yard line with 6:39 remaining. However, Palmer dipped his head while bracing for contact, and Dial’s helmet connected near Palmer’s chin, drawing a flag.
“Listen, things happen on the football field in real time,” Tomsula said. “… I am not here to critique officiating.”
After a week away, n quarterback Colin Kaepernick returned to the 49ers facility Monday to start rehabilitation on his left shoulder, which underwent surgery last Tuesday to repair a torn labrum.
Tight end Garrett n Celek will undergo an MRI on his high-ankle sprain, and the team does not fear a fracture.
Rookie defensive n tackle and first-round draft pick Arik Armstrong had a sore shoulder, and the 49ers didn’t play him extensively against the Cardinals so that he could have a bigger role in their upcoming game this Sunday at Chicago.
Defensive tackle Mike n Purcell drew praise for his first start, which included his first career sack.
The 49ers, 0-5 on the n road, will not change their weekly practice routine or time schedule as they prepare for Sunday’s game at Chicago.
“Change has to come from each one of us in how we prepare ourselves to play,” Tomsula said. “Getting off a bus on game day, maybe we need to sprint off the bus, (show) that sense of urgency and attack that football game.”
The 49ers went 0 n for 9 on third down Sunday. “It’s absolutely not OK. We need to get first downs, on third down,” Tomsula said. “So we’ve got to do a better job. We need to throw beyond the sticks, we need to protect. That entire situation, we have to do a better job.”
Tight end Blake Bell n with a politically correct take on the officiating: “We play the games, and they make the calls.”