LaMichael James ran three times for 21 yards and caught a seven-yard pass in the 49ers' Divisional Round playoff win over Green Bay.

James displayed his eye-opening burst on a 14-yard sprint up the middle in the second quarter to move the chains. Otherwise, the Niners' change-of-pace back wasn't much of a factor. James will remain a candidate for 4-7 touches in the NFC title game against Sunday's Seattle-Atlanta winner.

LaMichael James rushed for 49 yards on seven carries in Sunday's Week 17 win over the Cardinals.

In his four games as an active player, James has seen between six and nine offensive touches in each contest. The second-round rookie back out of Oregon showed his speed on a long run of 26 yards on Sunday. He's here to stay as Frank Gore's change-of-pace back and will continue to fill that role in the playoffs. James rushed for 125 yards on 27 carries in his first regular season.

LaMichael James rushed four times for 15 yards in San Francisco's Week 16 blowout loss to the Seahawks, adding two catches for 14 yards.

It was a quiet night for San Francisco's rookie change-of-pace back. His biggest play came in the fourth quarter, where he bobbled a kick return, pinning the Niners at their own two-yard line. Three of James' six touches came on San Francisco's meaningless final drive. James is here to stay on game-days, but he's not going to do anything more than provide the occasional breather for Frank Gore down the stretch of 2012-13.

LaMichael James rushed eight times for 31 yards in San Francisco's Week 15 win over the Patriots.

James added 133 yards on four kick returns, but was held without a catch in the passing game. Four of James' carries came in the game's final five minutes, where the 49ers interestingly used him as their primary clock-killing back. He was still out-touched 23-8 by Frank Gore, however, and remains a pure handcuff heading into Week 16.

LaMichael James rushed eight times for 30 yards and caught a 15-yard pass in the 49ers' Week 14 win over Miami.

The 49ers used James exactly like they did Kendall Hunter early in the season, employing him primarily as a "space" back who threatened the Dolphins' defense on the perimeter. James' overall yardage performance was hardly dominant, but he definitely added a spark and protected the football, which will help his chances of maintaining a prominent role down the stretch. James won't be a Week 15 fantasy option against the Patriots, but he's an explosive player worth keeping an eye on.

Coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke hinted Tuesday that LaMichael James would have a game-day role going forward.

"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." Frank Gore noted that James has made needed improvements in patience and running in tight spaces, though he's still not as hard to tackle as Kendall Hunter was. Brandon Jacobs was unimpressive as Frank Gore's backup last week.

Even with Kendall Hunter (Achilles) out, rookie RB LaMichael James was a healthy scratch once again in Week 13.

The Niners rolled with Brandon Jacobs as Frank Gore's backup and used Anthony Dixon as insurance. It's a three-headed monster that lacks any big-play ability whatsoever. Still, coach Jim Harbaugh has shown no inclination to use the explosive James. The No. 61 overall pick has been a healthy scratch in every game this season.

According to teammate Anthony Dixon, the 49ers have rookie RB LaMichael James "doing Percy Harvin stuff" on the scout team.

"I watch him every day on the practice field, and he's making plays, going up to get the ball," Dixon said. "They have him doing Percy Harvin stuff when we're playing teams like that. ... I feel like he's going to come in and make plays." James was a Harvin-like talent at Oregon, though he caught just 51 passes in three seasons. As an elite athlete in the 49ers' creative system, however, he'd be worth a gander in PPR leagues if he replaces Kendall Hunter as San Francisco's change-of-pace back. James has yet to be active this season.

49ers coaches work "daily" with rookie RB LaMichael James on handling punt returns.

Frank Gore ranks in the top-five in the NFL in yards per carry and is signed through 2014 while Kendall Hunter is entrenched as the backup. With Ted Ginn due to reach free agency in 2013, James' future could be returning punts and functioning as a change-of-pace back. He's yet to be active for a game this season.

49ers second-round rookie RB LaMichael James has been a healthy scratch in every game this season.

James was a true luxury pick for the Niners. The Niners are deep at running back with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Brandon Jacobs and Anthony Dixon. They're also set in the return game thanks to Ted Ginn and Kyle Williams. James will focus on trying to carve out a specialist role in 2013.

Rookie RB LaMichael James was a healthy scratch in Week 1.

James didn't dress even though Brandon Jacobs (knee) and Ted Ginn (ankle) were both inactive. The No. 61 overall pick is behind Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon on the depth chart.

49ers rookie RB LaMichael James (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday.

X-rays came back negative on James' left ankle sprain. The second-round change-of-pace back should be fine going forward.

49ers rookie RB LaMichael James (foot) was walking without a limp on Monday.

Coach Jim Harbaugh wouldn't divulge James' practice status, but it looks like there's a decent chance he suits up for Sunday's regular season dress rehearsal against the Broncos. At worst, James should return to full practice before the end of the week.

49ers RB LaMichael James suggested his left foot is fine after leaving Saturday night's game on a cart.

"I will be 100% at practice Monday in full force," James tweeted late Saturday. The injury appears to be of the day-to-day variety for the second-round rookie.

LaMichael James was carted off the field with a left foot injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's preseason game against the Texans.

The injury appeared to be to James' left foot or ankle. A second-round pick out of Oregon, James had four carries for 19 yards before exiting, playing behind Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, and Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs was carted off earlier in the night with a possibly severe left knee injury. All of the Niners' backfield ailments are improving Gore and Hunter's fantasy outlooks.

49ers OC Greg Roman believes second-round RB LaMichael James can run inside with success at the NFL level.

"There's a general misconception among some people who think just because a guy isn't a big guy, he can't run inside," Roman said. Beat writers have noted that James is a stronger inside runner than change-of-pace back Kendall Hunter. The question is whether James' 5'9", 195-pound frame can hold up to the pounding between the tackles over the long haul.

CSN Bay Area nominates No. 61 overall pick LaMichael James as the 49ers rookie likely to make the biggest impact in 2012.

First-round WR A.J. Jenkins is viewed as a long-term project. Reliable beat writer Matt Maiocco still believes Kendall Hunter is the "second-best running back behind Frank Gore," but concedes the team would not have drafted James if they didn't envision a role for him this season. Likely to be limited to a specialty role as a rookie, James is ranked 68th among fantasy backs by Rotoworld.