Marcus Lattimore: 'I'm finally ready'

By Matt Domm, Reporter | 20 April 2014

Marcus Lattimore admits that his recovery from his career-threatening knee injury has been tough, but is now ready to make his San Francisco 49ers debut.

San Francisco 49ers running back Marcus Lattimore has revealed that he is finally ready to make his NFL debut at the start of the 2014 season, having missed the entirety of 2013 through injury.

Lattimore suffered a horrific knee injury when playing for his college side the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2012 and, although he was drafted ahead of the 2013 season it has taken until now for him to be able to target a return to action.

"After my injury, I just wanted to walk again," Lattimore told GoGamecocks.com. "It was tough, very tough. We're a playoff team, so we play 20-plus games. Being on that sideline, we got so close to the Super Bowl title the last three years.

"I'm blessed to be in this situation [of recovery]. Never would have thought in a million years I'd be in this situation. I've just got to go in there and work hard. I can pass-protect and run the ball. I've got to show that. If I prove it in practice, I don't think there's no excuse why I can't play. I'm ready."

The Niners begin their off-season schedule on Monday.