What impact will Jalen Hurd have on the offense once he returns from injury?

Having a bye week so early in the season is never the ideal situation for any team in the NFL. However, the injury bug has bitten the San Francisco 49ers since week one, which makes a week four bye a blessing in disguise. That way the 49ers have one less game to worry about without their injured players like rookie reciever Jalen Hurd.

Kyle Shanahan announced this week that along with Tevin Coleman, he expects Hurd to be back in week five versus the Cleveland Browns. Since Hurd has yet to play a regular season snap for the 49ers, what impact will he have once he returns to the field?

The thing with Jalen Hurd is his impact won’t be tremendously felt production wise, as opposed to just his presence. Since Hurd is a gadget player, Kyle Shanahan can swing him at every skill position on the field. It allows for so many different formations that create mismatches.

#49ers rookie WR Jalen Hurd was out on the field getting in some rehab work. He’s missed the past six weeks weeks due to a stress reaction in his back. He could be available for Week 5 vs. #Browns, coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday. The team has some decisions to make at WR.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 24, 2019

Just imagine the type of counter and play fakes that Shanahan will call with him in the lineup. There is also the threat of jet sweeps. Who is the handoff going to go to? Deebo Samuel or Hurd? Expect Hurd to be used in motion pre-snap heavily. Scheming him open is not going to require much brainpower for Shanahan.

Think of it like baseball. Shanahan is the pitcher and he can throw Hurd at the defense in a variety of ways. He’s not restricted to just a fast ball with him, the whole weaponry for attack is open. That’s why we see so many offenses looking to acquire versatile and interchangeable players to make their formations confusing.

Shanahan has no problem doing that already and with Hurd, it’s just going to cause another headache for defenses. I do not expect Hurd to explode on the seen with big numbers, but don’t be shocked if some games he rips off multiple big gainers. This offense has yet to play a perfect game and with their injured players returning they will have a much easier time gashing the opposition.