Tevin Coleman Jersey White , Calif. (AP) — Alfred Morris knew the right opportunity would come, even as training camps opened and he remained home in Texas.Once the San Francisco 49ers called, Morris didn’t take long to get comfortable with his new team.With a stellar performance in Saturday’s exhibition at Indianapolis, the veteran running back appears to have earned a spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster.Coach Kyle Shanahan said Morris may not even suit up for Thursday’s exhibition finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, a strong indication that the staff already views Morris as a regular-season contributor.Patience paid off for the two-time Pro Bowler.“I wasn’t panicking,” Morris said of the wait to find a job. “It wasn’t if I would be on a team, it was when. I had teams reaching out, even in OTAs, but I didn’t think it would be a good fit so I turned it down. I knew I would get an opportunity. It was just waiting for the right opportunity.”The 29-year-old Morris carried 17 times for 84 yards in Saturday’s 23-17 loss to the Colts, displaying a physical style of running that should fit well with San Francisco’s offense. Starting running back Jerick McKinnon is known more for speed and shiftiness, and the 5-foot-10, 222-pound Morris can provide a bruising change of pace.McKinnon and second-string running back Matt Breida have missed the majority of the preseason with injuries, which provided the opening for the 49ers to sign Morris on Aug. 13.McKinnon (strained calf) and Breida (separated shoulder) are expected to be available for the Sept. 9 opener at Minnesota.Shanahan, who’s familiar with Morris when both were with the Washington Redskins, liked what he saw Saturday.“It was just good to see him do it live,” Shanahan said. “I thought we blocked very well, so we gave him an opportunity to do it. . But we had a couple 3rd-and-1’s where I thought we missed a guy (blocking) in the backfield and he got hit behind the line of scrimmage but still was able to get us a yard. Those are the ones that allow you to stay on the field and keep running plays.”There isn’t a ton of intrigue left before the 49ers cut down to their final 53-man roster. One battle is at right guard between Mike Person and Josh Garnett, but when asked about Person, Shanahan said, “It’s his job to lose right now.”Shanahan confirmed that backup quarterback C.J. Beathard would start Thursday against the Chargers. Jimmy Garoppolo and several other starters are expected to be held out to avoid injury.When training camp began, Morris was at home in Cross Roads, Texas, a town of less than 1,500 people. He relished the extra time with his wife, Lindsey, their 3-year-old son, Josiah, and their 1-year-old daughter, Grace. At times Bradley Pinion Jersey White , Morris said, he had to calm his wife’s nerves about when he might get a call from an NFL team.“I had a peace, honestly,” he said. “At times my wife was like, ‘Well, what’s going on?’ And I’m like, ‘It’s OK, it’s OK.'”NOTES: Linebacker Reuben Foster (concussion) and running back Joe Williams (ribs) didn’t practice Wednesday, although Shanahan wouldn’t rule either out for Thursday. Foster would have to clear concussion protocol. .Tight end George Kittle (shoulder) returned to practice in a limited capacity. . The 49ers signed undrafted running back Ja’Quan Gardner to a three-year deal Tuesday and waived safety Chanceller James. Breaking down the 90 players on the 49ers offseason roster in 90 posts (over 90 or so days). Today is defensive tackle Cedric Thornton"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 49ers Salary CapLevi’s Stadium Events49ers Transactions49ers Injury News49ers Press Conferences & Conference Calls49ers 90-in-90 roster breakdown49ers 90-in-90: DT Cedric ThorntonNew,7commentsBreaking down the 90 players on the 49ers offseason roster in 90 posts (over 90 or so days). Today is defensive tackle Cedric ThorntonPDTShareTweetShareShare49ers 90-in-90: DT Cedric ThorntonAt one point in his career, Cedric Thornton was solid depth for an NFL team. He didn’t have the stats that wow’d you over, but he wasn’t an awful fill-in defensive tackle. At this point in his career, after retiring once already, Thornton is coming to the San Francisco 49ers, a team that has a very young defensive line. They have Solomon Thomas in a new scheme that will take advantage of him in the interior, D.J. Jones, Kentavius Street, and Sheldon Day all ready as solid depth. Can Thornton force one of those guys off and carve out a roster spot? His stats are nothing to write about. His best season came in 2014 where he caused two fumbles and ran one back for a touchdown. He’s only had one season with more than one sack, and that was in 2017 with the Buffalo Bills. He could offer substantial depth if not for the fact he’s been out of football for a year and he’s got a lot of young, draft invested players in front of him. Basic infoAge:30 (turns 31 June 21) Experience: sixth seasonHeight: 6’4 Weight: 290Cap StatusHe signed a one-year $915,000 contract. What to expect in 2019Thornton’s been out of football for a year. That, combined with his age of 31, limited production in his career, and the youth at the defensive line of the ball makes for a very difficult road to travel. There’s not much he can do that the youngsters can’t and he’s at a point in his career where he’s not worth an investment in development. Expect a veteran defensive tackle who will compete in training camp. If he suits up on gameday, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong. Right now, there’s a hoard of defensive tackles on the roster and limited roster space. It’s hard to envision Thornton being on the 53-man roster. Odds of making the rosterThe tackles are a young group and they have a lot of talent waiting to be unleashed. Thornton is on the wrong side of 30 and trying to get back into a league he retired from a year ago. He’s a Week 4 preseason starter. It will be interesting to see if he lands anywhere in the NFL for 2019.