Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Should Frank Gore be judged on this season?

Frank Gore has said late in this lost season that he should not be judged on what has happened to him this year.

A career-low 3.9 yards per carry to go with 804 rushing yards, the second-fewest of his 10-year career, might have many whispering that he is nearing the end of an impressive run. His contract expires at the end of this season.

But it’s also obvious Gore, one of just 10 running backs in NFL history to rush for at least 10,000 yards with one team, has not exactly been put in the best position to succeed individually as the San Francisco 49ers went away from a power-running identity early, and then waffled back and forth.

“A little light,” Niners offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday of Gore’s workload this season. “A little light. A little light. But there are several games where you would like to be handing it off at the end of the game with numbing repetition. He’s really good in those situations. We really haven’t had them lately.

“But a little light in that regard; opportunities just not there. Limited possession games, et cetera. A lot of things go into that.”

The Niners have not been in a position to salt away a lead as they sit at 7-7 and eliminated from the playoff race with two games to go after three straight NFC championship game appearances.

And with Gore having suffered a concussion in Sunday’s loss at Seattle, there is a very real possibility that he has already played his final game in Santa Clara. Still, coach Jim Harbaugh said he expects Gore to pass the NFL-mandated concussion protocol and suit up Saturday against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium.

Gore’s 804 yards this season are his fewest since his rookie season of 2005, when he carried the ball for 608 yards and started only one game.

“I mean, Frank Gore, since the day I got here, has been the heart and soul, really,” Roman said. “This year, when the going gets tough, things aren’t going the way you like, we’re not producing to the level we expect or are used to or want to or [are] working for. Who’s blinking? Who’s going to change? Not Frank Gore.

“To wrap it up in a nice, tidy box, he is a great leader and somebody that, man, he’s fun to coach, fun to coach.”

So long as you don’t judge him, right?

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