49ers Notebook: LaMichael James' debut could come soon

RB LaMichael James could make his NFL debut Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

By Kyle Bonagura

Dec 4, 2012 at 4:58 pm ET • 4 min read

LaMichael James played in the preseason, but he's yet to play in the regular season. (US Presswire)

For San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore, the transition from the University of Miami to the NFL didn't include a full-scale change in philosophy. The Hurricanes, under Butch Davis and Larry Coker, used a pro-style offense that required the running backs to pass protect.

"At Miami, if we couldn't pass protect, we couldn't play," Gore said.

That wasn't the case for the 49ers' second-round pick LaMichael James at Oregon, where pass protection was nearly unheard of in Chip Kelly's spread-option. James' role was fairly simple: Get the ball in space and run.

"I was not pass protecting that much," James said. "The first time I ever did it a lot was when I got here."

Playing running back in coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman's system is much like it was for Gore at Miami. They need the backs to be able to help in protection.

For a player of James' size (he's generously listed at 5-foot-9, 195 pounds), that's not an easy task.

"You have to go out there and be effort, just put your head in there and see what you can do," James said. "It's not that hard, but obviously, I'm outmanned because I'm not 230 pounds."

James is the only player selected in the first two rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft who has not been active for a game this season for reasons other than injury. The 49ers' depth and James' development have contributed to that, but it appears it could change as early as this week against Miami.

General manager Trent Baalke and coach Jim Harbaugh insinuated as much on radio interviews in the Bay Area on Monday and Tuesday.

"It’s safe to say that LaMichael is going to start getting his opportunities and confident that’ll he’ll make the most of them," Baalke said Monday on the Ric Bucher and Chris Townsend Show on 95.7 The Game.

Harbaugh wasn't as direct on the Murph and Mac Show on KNBR 680 on Tuesday: "I think (James making his is debut) a real possibility. He’s worked hard for an opportunity and that’s something that’s definitely a possibility that’s coming.”

On the day James was drafted, Baalke complimented his ability to run between the tackles, but according to Gore, that's another area where adjusting has been a challenge.

"He got better in small spaces," Gore said. "You watch his film in college and there is a lot of big space, and in the NFL it's different. Early on he had a tough time with that. Now from where I first saw him, he's gotten a lot better."

Gore also complimented James' development in terms of reading his blockers and being patient. He said James wanted to get the ball and get to full speed as quickly as possible -- like he was asked to do at Oregon -- but has learned that in the NFL it's necessary to wait for a play to develop, then hit the hole when it's there.

In the 49ers' 16-13 OT loss to St. Louis, Gore received a season-high 23 carries, which doesn't factor the additional time he was called upon to pass block. With Kendall Hunter out for the season with a torn Achilles, production from James would be extremely beneficial in keeping Gore fresh for the playoffs.

49ers sticking with Kaepernick: QB Colin Kaepernick will make his fourth career start Sunday against the Dolphins, according to Harbaugh.

He was 21 of 32 for 208 yards against the Rams on Sunday, but a critical fumble that resulted in St. Louis' only touchdown marred what was otherwise a decent performance.

Dobbs speaks after arrest: Speaking to a group of Bay Area reporters, a contrite Demarcus Dobbs said his Friday morning arrest for suspicion of DUI and possession of marijuana after a single-car accident in Santa Clara was a "wake-up call."

"I appreciate all the support that I've had from my friend, my family and my fans," he said, according to the Sacramento Bee. "It's very out of character for what happened. I made a dumb mistake, a dumb decision. I take full responsibility for it. Going forward, I can guarantee it won't happen again. It's not like me. I never had any problems before at all. It's just a dumb decision that I take full responsibility for."

Akers expected to keep job: Mired in the worst season of his 14-year NFL career, K David Akers' job with the 49ers is secure -- at least for now.

Akers missed a potential game-winning 51-yard field goal against the Rams on Sunday in overtime.

"We’ll see what his health status is this week, but all indications are, he’s working through something, but he’s kicked well in practice," Harbaugh said. "He’s kicked well in game. I thought the one that he hit in the ball game that was missed was well hit. It just didn’t go in.”

Hoffman-Ellis added to practice squad: The 49ers announced they have signed LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis to the practice squad Tuesday and have released S Eddie Whitley.

Hoffman-Ellis played for 49ers offensive assistant Paul Wulff at Washington State, where he started 33 games and was named second-team All-Pac-12 as a senior.

Gore's wrist in a brace: RB Gore's left wrist is in a brace. He said he injured it during a stiff arm Sunday against the Rams, but the injury won't affect him and he could have played Tuesday if he needed to.