The New York Jets made a backfield addition Wednesday, signing ex-49ers RB Tevin Coleman, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

 

Coleman, who turns 28 in April, spent the last two years with the 49ers after playing his first four seasons for the Atlanta Falcons. He topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2018, his last year with the Falcons, but struggled in San Francisco, totaling 724 yards in 2019 and then scuffling to only 87 yards in eight games in 2020 as he dealt with multiple injuries.

New York’s backfield was headed by La'Mical Perine prior to this move, so Coleman should get a chance in ex-49ers offensive coordinator (now Jets head coach) Robert Saleh’s offense.

Jets help barren backfield with Tevin Coleman addition

Fantasy slant: Does Coleman have anything left? Averaging 1.9 yards per carry across 28 carries in 2020 and a whole host of injuries would seem to be a bad sign. But then Saleh saw him closer than anyone and chose to bring him to New York, so we'll see. Either way, for now at least, Coleman jumps to the clear top of the depth chart with the Jets ... though that isn't saying a lot, given the paucity of talent the team had in the backfield. The addition of Coleman gives the Jets an option to open the season as a starter, but don't be at all surprised if the team makes more backfield moves, either in free agency or the draft. -- Daniel Kelley