49ers' LaMichael James: 'I'm here for a reason'

LaMichael James hasn't seen too much of the field in his rookie season due to injury and a deep group of running backs in San Francisco. As the playoffs near for the 49ers, James is determined to help his team win games any way possible. As he said this week, he knows he can play, and that's he's with the team for a reason.

The offensive coaching staff has considered new ways to incorporate James into the playbook, especially with new quarterback Collin Kaepernick being a much more mobile option than Alex Smith.

Here is what general manager Trent Baalke had to say about his rookie running back in a recent CSN Bay Area article.

"I'd say, it's safe to say that LaMichael is going to start getting his opportunities," Baalke said. "And (I'm) confident that he'll make the most of them when given the opportunity."

James is a bit undersized and has struggled in run block in recent years at Oregon, although there's no denying his speed can change a game on just one play. And given that the 49ers have lacked the ability to score points in a hurry this year, it only makes sense to incorporate the speedy tailback into their gameplan moving forward.

James and the 49ers will take on the Dolphins in Week 14.