Marcus Lattimore's predictions that he'd play last season never came to fruition in San Francisco, but the 49ers running back now says he's close to 100 percent.
Following back-to-back devastating knee injuries in 2011 and 2012 at South Carolina, Lattimore recently told The Associated Press that he expects to be ready for the start of organized team activities in April.
"The left knee, it feels like nothing ever happened," Lattimore said. "The right knee, it feels great. Both feel balanced. I've got my speed and I rarely get any soreness."
Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said last month that he feels "great hope" about Lattimore's future, saying: "Nobody owes anyone a career in professional football. Your career is literally your business. But I have great faith (Lattimore has) what it takes."
If healthy, he'll compete with Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James for snaps behind Frank Gore. A productive season would put the second-year pro into position to challenge for Gore's starting spot once the veteran's contract expires after the 2014 season.
First things first, but Lattimore enters the spring as one of the NFL's most intriguing young players.
On the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys talk about the Jim Harbaugh drama in San Francisco and discuss who made the most striking impression at the NFL Scouting Combine.
