McNichols may be on the outside looking in for a roster spot heading into the 49ers' preseason finale Thursday against the Chargers, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
McNichols had been receiving first-team reps earlier this preseason while Jerick McKinnon (hamstring) and Matt Breida (shoulder) nursing minor injuries, suggesting the Boise State product had a solid path to a roster path. However, the signing of veteran back Alfred Morris combined with McNichols' lackluster showings over the team's last two exhibitions (12 carries for 33 yards) seem to have significantly damaged the 22-year-old's chances of making the cut. McNichols may need a big performance Thursday just to make the decision a difficult one for the 49ers.