Jeff

Wilson

Wilson gets the game day elevation in the wake of Jaylen Wright’s injury while the Dolphins entered Week 1 preparations without a kicker on the active roster. De’Von Achane remains the unquestioned top back while rookie Ollie Gordon appears set to step into the primary change of pace role, leaving Wilson as a likely emergency back. The team also did not elevate a tight end, meaning they will take on the Colts with only Julian Hill and Tanner Conner with Darren Waller set to miss.

With Brian Robinson now in San Francisco, Wilson probably felt better about his chances of being elevated off Miami’s practice squad. The Dolphins also signed TE Greg Dulcich, CB BJ Adams, CB Cornell Armstrong, LB Quinton Bell, OL Braeden Daniels, WR AJ Henning, DT Alex Huntley, LB Derrick McLendon, K Riley Patterson, OL Josh Priebe, TE Hayden Rucci, S John Saunders Jr., TE Theo Wease Jr., S Jordan Colbert to their practice squad.

Wilson was signed in early August, but with the trade of Brian Robinson to the 49ers, Wilson figured to be no higher than fourth on the depth chart at the moment. It wouldn’t be surprising if Wilson resurfaced with the 49ers after initial cuts are done.

That will end Taylor’s season before it begins — he suffered the shoulder injury in the second week of the preseason. Taylor has been a deep depth piece for the 49ers, drawing 39 carries for 183 yards and a score last year, and San Francisco’s injury woes at the position will continue. This slides Jeff Wilson into a stronger position at the start of the year, perhaps as high as Christian McCaffrey’s backup if Isaac Guerrendo and Jordan James aren’t able to recover from their injuries ahead of Week 1. The 49ers signed Nate Sudfeld to take Taylor’s place on the roster and absorb some punishment in Week 3 of the preseason.

Taylor exited Saturday’s preseason game against the Raiders with the injury and did not return to the field. Rookie UDFA Corey Kiner also exited with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss a couple of weeks. The 49ers are already dealing with injuries to Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and rookie Jordan James (knee). Behind Christian McCaffrey is journeyman Ke’Shawn Vaughn and the recently re-signed Jeff Wilson, who rushed for 8-16-1 against the Raiders while adding another catch for 16 yards. Both Vaughn and Wilson could spell McCaffrey in Week 1 against the Seahawks if Guerendo, James, and Taylor are all sidelined. That said, none of these players carry much fantasy upside.

Wilson, 29, has spent the last 2.5 seasons in Miami after being dealt to the Dolphins during the 2022 trade deadline. Since then, the veteran back has struggled with injuries and an inability to find consistent playing time in a Dolphins backfield that has been ripe with young, explosive talent. Wilson’s signing comes after the 49ers lost Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) for"a few weeks” and rookie Jordan James to a broken finger. Both running backs could have a chance to be ready for the start of the season, but they’ll be cutting it close. Wilson spent five seasons playing with the Niners in Kyle Shanahan’s system and can provide a sense of familiarity to the backfield. Wilson rushed for 57 scoreless yards on 16 carries last season and shouldn’t be viewed as a permanent fixture on the 49ers’ roster once Guerendo and James are able to return.

The team also brought in D’Ernest Johnson. The 49ers have Isaac Guerendo and rookie Jordan James parked behind Christian McCaffrey right now. The two workouts could be a sign that the rookie isn’t making progress, or Kyle Shanahan could just be looking for a veteran to give the team a few extra quality reps in camp. Wilson played the first four years of his career in San Francisco and was traded to Miami in the middle of his fifth year. He rushed 16 times for 57 yards in 2024.

Wilson is not a fantasy factor at this time but he did get to play some in the second half. He was aggravatingly on-field for Tyler Huntley’s red zone touchdown scamper, taking high-value snaps away from De’Von Achane. Wilson should not be started in Week 18 against the Jets.

Wilson has routinely been a healthy scratch since the Dolphins’ backfield got healthier. The 28-year-old looks like waiver wire fodder even in deeper Dynasty leagues.

Nothing surprising here. With the Dolphins’ backfield finally healthy heading into this one, Wilson was the presumed healthy scratch for Week 7. Still without Tua Tagovailoa (concussion), the Dolphins will look to Tyler Huntley to lead the offense following the team’s Week 6 bye.