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Jordan James Injury Opens Door for 49ers Rookie Kaelon Black

James’s rib fracture pushes Black into primary backup reps, prompting the 49ers to evaluate veteran depth in padded practices and the preseason.

Overview

  • Second-year running back Jordan James suffered a rib fracture during a Monday practice and will miss time, creating an immediate vacancy behind Christian McCaffrey.
  • Rookie Kaelon Black has taken the bulk of James’s reps in camp and drawn public praise from Christian McCaffrey and other veterans for his decisiveness and maturity.
  • San Francisco placed Isaac Guerendo on the active/PUP list this week, further thinning the running back room and increasing urgency to find temporary depth.
  • The 49ers hosted workouts this week for veterans Raheem Blackshear, Khalil Herbert, and Owen Wright as short-term insurance with any signings to be decided after padded practices and preseason showings.
  • The front office’s immediate moves reflect a broader aim to reduce McCaffrey’s heavy workload by securing a reliable backup, with camp pads and preseason play likely to determine the RB2 role.