With Jordan James sidelined by broken ribs, 99th-percentile Speed Score athlete Isaac Guerendo recovering from a torn pectoral, and Kaelon Black nursing an injury, the San Francisco 49ers needed backfield availability behind Christian McCaffrey.
Enter Khalil Herbert, who posted a meager 3.3 Yards Per Carry and an 11.2-percent Opportunity Share across seven games last season. He joins Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sincere McCormick as emergency roster depth while the primary options heal.
San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) ...
The San Francisco 49ers placed running back Isaac Guerendo ...
Following a 2024 rookie season in which he handled himself ...
Jordan James seized a clear edge for the RB2 role in San Francisco heading into camp, but his position on the depth chart is suddenly tenuous. Kaelon Black is the last man standing behind Christian McCaffrey following injuries to Guerendo and James. Black checks in with a 100.6 Speed Score and a 126.3 Burst Score, has stepped into the No. 2 running back role in San Francisco following these injuries.
With Isaac Guerendo also sidelined, Black now has an opportunity to become McCaffrey’s handcuff with solid training camp performances. Black and James are two ships passing in the night as Black has blown past James on PlayerProfiler’s Dynasty Rankings.
Second-year running back Jordan James has a clear path to the high-value backup role in San Francisco as Kyle Shanahan often values functional efficiency over Isaac Guerendo’s freakish 125.7 (99th-percentile) Speed Score and 135.5 (97th-percentile) Burst Score. While Guerendo remains an athletic project, James grinds out tough yards and seems to be securing massive contingent value behind an aging, fragile Christian McCaffrey.
James locks down the 49ers handcuff role; he instantly offers league-winning upside with a premium in dynasty leagues.
San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo is going to miss “a few weeks” with a shoulder injury, as per Kyle Shanahan. Jordan Mason’s trade to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason seemed to indicate that Guerendo would be given the first opportunity to serve as backup to Christian McCaffrey. The injuries continue to pile up for the running back. In his rookie season, he missed time due to hamstring, groin, and foot injuries. In the season finale, he suffered an MCL sprain and an ankle sprain.
It is frustrating news to hear, as his skill and athleticism are on display when he is in the game. The 6-foot, 220-pound back has blazing speed (4.33 40), elite explosiveness, and is an above-average receiver. In a backfield that seems to be a revolving door of injuries, fantasy managers must be tapped into the news when it comes to the 49ers. Jordan James and Isaac Guerendo are dealing with injuries, and time will tell if Christian McCaffrey is back to full health.
When healthy, Guerendo will be a valuable handcuff to roster, and he did show production, finishing as an RB1 for three weeks in 2024.
Author: Dane Madoche(@FF_DaMaddog)
A week after training camp has started the San Francisco 49ers have a few players missing time due to various injuries. Defensive end Drake Jackson has been ruled out for the rest of training camp with a knee injury, head coach Kyle Shanahan did not provide a timeline for his return. Along with Jackson, wide receiver Jacob Cowing and running back Isaac Guerendo are out with hamstring injuries. Cowling is only expected to miss 10 days. Guerendo will miss several weeks with his hamstring injury.
This is a blow for Drake Jackson who was drafted in the 2nd round out of USC in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has been dealing with several injuries in his short time with the Niners. Cowing and Guerendo are camp bodies at this point in camp, if they are not healthy leading up to the regular season both players may be candidates for injured reserve or worst, cut from the team altogether. Guerendo shocked the fantasy world with his athleticism on display at the NFL Combine. Athleticism doesn’t mean anything with this coaching staff unless players grasp the offense. This puts Guerendo way behind on learning this offense. The seasonal outlook is not bright for Guerendo.
Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo splashed onto the scene with his explosive numbers at the NFL combine. He blazed with a 4.33 second 40-yard dash, while also recording a 100th percentile Speed Score and a 98th percentile Burst Score. These metrics put Guerendo as the 8th most athletic running back all-time in the PlayerProfiler database! Measuring in at 6 foot and weighing 221 pounds, he has drawn comparisons to Jonathan Taylor. The comparison stops when it comes to production on the field. Guerendo only registered 230 carries in his 4-year college career, with his career high being 132 attempts in his Senior season. Guerendo was stuck behind fellow rookie back in Braelon Allen for the first 3 years at Wisconsin. He transferred to Louisville to get more playing time, he played every game but dealt with hamstring issues. With the 49ers, Guerendo has the same herculean task of overcoming a highly talented back on the depth chart with Christian McCaffrey leading the way. Guerendo has to contribute on special teams if he wants to make an immediate impact on the team.
Isaac Guerendo is as about as sexy of fantasy pick as you can get in the later rounds of dynasty leagues. He may be 3rd on the depth chart in San Francisco, but injuries have affected both backs in front of him. If both go down, it’s peddle to the metal for Guerendo to showcase that rare athleticism for Kyle Shanahan. He currently is RB65 in dynasty ADP, which I believe to be too low for his level of talent, regardless who is in front of him on the depth chart. With the running back position being so volatile he is bound to see the field and when he does, watch out! He may blaze his way into a larger role, relieving Christian McCaffrey from time to time.
