CSN Bay Area believes 49ers RB/KR LaMichael James' roster spot is "looking good."

"James looked very steady fielding punts in the offseason, so his spot is looking much more secure than it appeared a month ago," writes Matt Maiocco. James didn't show up for voluntary workouts in and effort to get traded, but the team has said all along they have no plans to deal him. James doesn't have a future as a running back in San Fran, but he's the frontrunner for return duties.

49ers RB/KR LaMichael James reported to offseason workouts this week.

James had been skipping the voluntary sessions in what was believed to be an effort to force his way out of town. The 49ers failed to trade James on draft day and seem intent on keeping him around for at least the summer. James could be as low as fifth on the running back depth chart but remains in the mix for return duties. We'd expect him to be released at or near final cuts.

49ers RB/KR LaMichael James remains absent from voluntary workouts.

The sides are mired in stalemate. Both want to move on, but the 49ers have been unable to find a trade partner. If a deal can't be worked out during this week's draft, James should ultimately earn his release.

49ers GM Trent Baalke told reporters Friday that the team is not trying to trade disgruntled RB/KR LaMichael James.

The alternative would've been for Baalke to indeed say he wants to trade James, which would've cost his team leverage. The 49ers are known to be shopping James, holding out hope they can recoup a sixth- or seventh-round selection for the 2012 second-rounder. If a trade happens, it'll likely go down on draft day.

CSN Bay Area reports LaMichael James would "welcome a change of scenery."

In other words, it's not just the 49ers who want to move on. James is skipping this week's voluntary workouts despite having a $50,000 workout bonus in his contract. With the 49ers unlikely to net anything in a trade, the 2012 second-rounder will probably get his release papers some time in the next month.

LaMichael James is not with the 49ers as the offseason conditioning program opens this week.

James is training on his own in Texas despite having a $50,000 workout bonus in his contract. It's a statement move as he pushes for a trade or release. James has totaled 39 carries and five catches in his two NFL seasons and now finds himself fourth on the depth chart. He's hoping to get a fresh start elsewhere.

ESPN's Adam Teicher suggests the Chiefs could have interest in LaMichael James.

James is currently being shopped by the 49ers and may eventually be released. Kansas City is unlikely to have much interest in James as a running back, but he could be an option to help replace Dexter McCluster's role on special teams. The 61st overall pick in 2012, James has appeared in just 14 games the last two seasons.

ESPN's Mark Dominik stated on NFL Insiders that he believes the 49ers could only recoup a sixth- or seventh-round pick for 2012 second-rounder LaMichael James "if they're lucky."

The Sacramento Bee reported late Wednesday that James is indeed on the trade block. Dominik was an NFL general manager as recently as 2013, and should still have a good feel for players' value around the NFL. "They gotta be thinking sixth-, seventh-round pick if they're lucky," Dominik stated. We lean toward predicting the Niners won't get "lucky," and James will eventually be waived.

NJ.com suggests the Eagles as a possible fit for LaMichael James.

It's a logical connection of the dots because James starred for Chip Kelly at Oregon and the Eagles tried to trade for C.J. Spiller earlier this offseason. But that was before the Darren Sproles trade. If the Eagles are looking for someone to spell LeSean McCoy between the tackles, James is not their man. They're better off sticking with Chris Polk and Bryce Brown.

The Sacramento Bee reports the 49ers "have been shopping" third-year RB LaMichael James.

It's been speculated James would be available since early in the offseason. The 61st overall pick in the 2012 draft, James has earned just 44 offensive touches in two seasons with San Francisco. His kickoff-return production dropped sharply as a sophomore, and he fumbled two punts. An undersized, straight-linish runner with no power and little elusiveness, we don't have particularly high hopes for James even if he finds a new home. He'll be 25 in October.

CSN Bay Area believes 49ers RB LaMichael James could find himself on the trade block this summer.

James doesn't have a place with the 49ers, who employ a power-run scheme. The 2012 second-round pick was routinely inactive this past season and hardly saw the field on Sundays he dressed. San Francisco would be lucky to get a late-round pick in return for James. It's more likely that he's cut after training camp.

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco believes 2012 second-round pick LaMichael James "certainly does not appear to be a good fit with the 49ers."

Maiocco cites James' misfit for San Francisco's power running scheme, and notes that the Niners believe James lacks "the kind of blazing speed to succeed as solely an outside runner." On Friday, James tweeted, "I'd rather they just let me go," which he later confirmed was in reference to the 49ers. We're not sure James would fit any offensive scheme, quite frankly. He lacks lateral agility and runs with no power. He's a return specialist at best in the NFL.

LaMichael James rushed once for no gain in San Francisco's NFC Championship Game loss to the Seahawks.

James also muffed a punt, injuring his neck in the process. He stayed in the game, however. The No. 61 pick of the 2012 draft heads into the offseason with all of 39 career carries, and Marcus Lattimore joining the 49ers' backfield fray in 2014. At best, James will open next season No. 3 on the depth chart. James had game-breaking talent in college, but the 49ers clearly aren't convinced it will ever translate to the NFL level outside of special teams. James is not a particularly compelling Dynasty-league option.

LaMichael James did not touch the football for the second straight playoff game as the 49ers beat the Panthers in the Divisional Round.

James continues to be a non-factor on offense, and the 49ers didn't get any punt or kick return opportunities in this one. He's behind Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter at tailback.

LaMichael James didn't have an offensive touch in San Francisco's Wild Card playoff win over the Packers.

James returned kickoffs and punts, but was not involved on offense and continues to be a disappointment through two seasons as a 2012 second-round pick. He's firmly behind Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter on the depth chart.

LaMichael James expects to be the 49ers' punt and kick returner this week against the Panthers.

Coach Jim Harbaugh has expressed a desire to get James on the field. After Kyle Williams struggled on returns against the Jaguars, it appears James is going to get an opportunity. He's touched the ball just seven times on offense.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh wants to get RB LaMichael James re-involved on offense.

"We want to get that going," Harbaugh said. "He's too good of a player not to be playing." James has been a healthy scratch each of the past three weeks, and expressed public displeasure at his role. The No. 61 overall pick of last year's draft, James has just 34 career carries. It sounds like James will be active when the 49ers come off their Week 9 bye, but he won't have more than a bit role on offense. That's if he has one at all.

49ers GM Trent Baalke says the team is not interested in trading frustrated RB LaMichael James.

"We're not interested in trading LaMichael," Baalke said. "LaMichael's a key player." Baalke went on to say that there will be a time when the team needs to call on James. He's been a healthy inactive the past two weeks.

49ers declared RB LaMichael James, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Quinton Patton, WR/TE Chris Harper, OLB Jermaine Cunningham, and G Joe Looney inactive for Week 6 against the Cardinals.

James is back to being a healthy scratch. Asomugha joins James in that category as he's been passed on the depth chart by Tramaine Brock. Patton is still battling a foot injury. McBLT is the No. 3 quarterback.

LaMichael James expressed frustration with his role via Twitter Tuesday.

James has recorded three rushes for zero yards all season. "Some things I just don't understand at all I don't work at State Farm I'm not trying to be insurance," read the tweet which has since been deleted. James better get used to it. He's well behind impressive Kendall Hunter for the backup job.