Bruce Ellington won't get the chance to fulfill the fantasy football community's overly optimistic projections in Chip Kelly's offense this season.
The San Francisco 49ers placed the third-year wide receiver on season-ending injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday.
Ellington sustained a hamstring tear last Friday after missing the second preseason game with an ankle injury. The No. 106 overall pick in the 2014 draft was also hampered by ankle and hamstring issues in his first two NFL seasons.
Billed as a breakout candidate in Kelly's ball-control passing attack after a strong showing in training camp, Ellington was expected to man the slot between outside receivers Torrey Smith and Quinton Patton.
Upon learning of Ellington's injury, the 49ers traded for former Jets and Lions wide receiver Jeremy Kerleyas a potential replacement.
Although Ellington had been relegated to special teams under previous coaching regimes, Kelly took a shine to him early this past offseason.
"That kid can do some interesting things," Kelly said in February. "It's our job to figure out how we can use that to benefit us to help us win games."
Ellington will enter the final year of his rookie contract next season with 19 receptions, 215 yards and two touchdowns in 26 career games.
