Falcons sign RB Khalil Herbert

Herbert was a camp body for the 49ers when several of their running backs were banged up, but the room is fairly healthy now. He could wind up on San Francisco’s practice squad. Also waived/released were OL Isaac Alarcon, DL Evan Anderson, TE Khalil Dinkins, DL Bryson Eason, DL Viliami Fehoko Jr., LB Jalen Graham, WR Wesley Grimes, DL Jah Joyner, CB Darrell Luter Jr., QB Adrian Martinez, RB Sincere McCormick, S Patrick McMorris, OL Drake Nugent, WR Will Pauling, CB Jakob Robinson, CB Eli Apple, DL Quinton Bell, S Ashtyn Davis, WR KhaDarel Hodge, WR Trenton Irwin, LB Deion Jones, OL Robert Jones, OL Doug Kramer Jr., DL Ogbo Okoronkwo, OL Brandon Parker, WR Malik Turner, P Corliss Waitman, and LS Jon Weeks.

The 49ers have had poor injury luck at the running back position this summer. Herbert, 28, provides a steady veteran presence. The team correspondingly placed RB Patrick Taylor on injured reserve.

Free agent RB Elijah Mitchell attended as well. Herbert appeared in three games with the Jets last year, rushing 16 times for 52 yards and earned three targets. Mitchell logged zero touches and earned one target, playing for the Patriots. The Eagles already have five running backs on the roster, so both players face uphill battles to snag a roster spot.

Jackson was drafted by the 49ers in 2022. He recorded three sacks as a rookie plus another three in just eight games during his second season. Jackson then suffered a torn patellar tendon late in the 2023 season and missed all of 2024 as well. The 49ers cut him last offseason. Washington then took a flyer on him, though he needed most of the 2025 season to continue recovering from the knee issue. Jackson returned for three games to end the year. Now fully recovered heading into the offseason, Jackson will get the chance to put his career back on track with the Commanders in 2026.

Herbert was released by the Colts in March and then later signed with the Jets in October. He was firmly behind Breece Hall and Isaiah Davis during the season, but was called upon today with both of them ruled out for the final week of the season. Herbert finishes the season with 16 carries for 52 yards and only three targets in the passing game. A free agent in 2026, Herbert will continue to bounce around the league looking for an opportunistic depth chart opening.

When asked if Hall will play, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said, “we’ll see.” Glenn has played coy with most start-sit decisions in the Jets’ 3-13 season. No reason to stop now. Hall logged just two limited sessions to close the week. He is scheduled to enter free agency at the end of the season. Preserving his health for free agency could be the smart move. He may wish to put his stamp on the season with a strong showing, though. It would be difficult to project his playing time if he is active. Treat him as a volatile RB2 if he suits up. His backup, RB Isaiah Davis (concussion), has been ruled out, leaving Kene Nwangwu (quad) and Khalil Herbert behind Hall.

It’s looking unlikely that Davis will be cleared for Week 18 given the lack of practice — it suggests he’s still in the beginning stages of the protocol. If he rests, Khalil Herbert will likely see backup reps behind Breece Hall against the Bills on Sunday.

Starting RB Breece Hall (knee) was also sidelined by a knee injury, though he told reporters post-game that his knee is fine. Whether he can play on Sunday remains to be seen. Jets RB Kene Nwangwu (quad) is listed as the next man up, with RB Khalil Herbert seated behind him on the depth chart. Nwangwu is practicing fully.

Hall told reporters that his knee was fine post-game. Hopefully, this is just a maintenance day, but his practice participation is worth following. His backup, RB Isaiah Davis (concussion), was also sidelined on Wednesday. The Jets list RBs Kene Nwangwu (quad) and Khalil Herbert in the Nos. 3 and 4 spots, respectively. Nwangwu is practicing fully.

Jackson hasn’t played since suffering a patellar tendon injury with the 49ers in 2023. Though the Commanders’ season is over, Jackson will get the opportunity to get some reps on tape before he heads into free agency in the spring. Jackson has six sacks in 23 career games.