AP

The 49ers, with a wealth of draft picks, were able to use one on former South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore knowing he might not help them this year.

And while returning to a game after his horrific college knee injury is still a long shot, he’s at least getting on the practice field.

According to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, Lattimore will begin practicing next week. He was placed on the non-football injury list at the beginning of the year, and the 49ers didn’t expect anything from him this season.

If nothing else, some football-like action serves as a carrot for his rehab, giving him a target to shoot for. The 49ers already had more backs than they could keep happy with the action they’re getting, so it’s not as if he’s a need.