49ers RB LaMichael James dislocates elbow, could miss 1 month

San Francisco 49ers running back/kick returner LaMichael James could miss one month after being carted off the 49ers' practice field Sunday with a dislocated elbow.

San Francisco 49ers running back/kick returner LaMichael James could miss one month after being carted off the 49ers' practice field Sunday with a dislocated elbow, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday. According to Rapoport, James' injury occurred during a blitz pick-up drill. 

James' injury is the second significant blow for the 49ers at the running back position in two days. On Sunday, No. 2 running back Kendall Hunter tore his ACL. He is expected to miss the entire 2014 season. San Francisco now only has two healthy running backs who are almost certain to make the team out of training camp — starter Frank Gore and second-round draft pick Carlos Hyde. 

The 24-year-old James, entering his third year in the NFL out of Oregon, carried the ball just 12 times for the 49ers last season for 59 yards. He also returned 35 kickoff and punt returns. He was expected to be the team's main return man heading into this season, while also competing for a bigger role in the offense. 

BURKE: Off-season report card: 49ers

-Brett LoGiurato