The San Francisco 49ers are not good on special teams. To call them average even would probably be too generous.
However, they may have unlocked a very unlikely return specialist in running back Brian Robinson Jr.
When San Francisco traded for Robinson in the preseason, many assumed he was going to be used to give star running back Christian McCaffrey a break and may primarily be used in short-yardage or goal-line situations to try and prevent McCaffrey from taking big hits.
He has been used a little bit in this regard, but not to very great effect. On the season, Robinson has just 36 rush attempts for 144 yards. No one was expecting him to set the world on fire, but those are still pretty paltry numbers.
In his defense, San Francisco's rush attack as a whole has not done much. Outside of a big performance on the ground in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons, McCaffrey has largely been held in check this season.
On the season McCaffrey has 140 rushes for just 490 yards and has averaged 3.5 yards per rush, which is the lowest mark of his enture career. Maybe he will get it turned around, but this may speak to bigger issues with the offensive line.
Brian Robinson Jr. might be 49ers' best kick-returning option
While Robinson has not been much of a factor at all on the ground, he has surprisingly shown off his skills as a kick returner. Prior to this season, Robinson had never returned a kick in the NFL, but he was put back there alongside Skyy Moore as second-year running back Isaac Guerendo has continued to fall from grace and was removed from kick return duties.
Surprisingly, Robinson has looked pretty solid as a returner. Robinson has returned five kicks for San Francisco and has an average of just over 30 yards per return on the season. He had an impressive return for 46 yards towards the end of the second half against Houston, which allowed the Niners to score a touchdown and keep themselves in the game.
One would not think of the stout, sturdy Robinson as an effective kick returner. He is known more for being strong and tough in short-yardage situations rather than for his speed.
But maybe he is showing a new skill that will help the team going forward the rest of this season.
The 49ers have not had a kick return for a touchdown since 2018, so maybe Robinson can be the one to break that lengthy streak.