Ke'Shawn

Vaughn

The veteran back didn’t play in the preseason at all despite the amount of injuries the 49ers running back room dealt with. He’s a likely practice squad candidate after playing with the 49ers last season. The 49ers also waived/injured QB Carter Bradley and QB Tanner Mordecai, while waiving (regular) DL Jaylon Allen and DL Shakel Brown. Finally, they sent OL Isaiah Prince to injured reserve.

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.

Vaughn returns to the organization after playing for the 49ers for the 2024 season. The addition of another running back could indicate worry surrounding the status of Isaac Guerendo to start the season, who is currently dealing with a shoulder injury that is expected to sideline him for a few weeks. Jordan James is also dealing with an injury, leaving the 49ers with little depth behind starter Christian McCaffrey.

The 49ers will feature their fourth running back of the season on Sunday against the Dolphins if Guerendo can’t suit up. Guerendo was a DNP in Wednesday’s practice, but it sounds like the team is already preparing to be without the rookie. It’s hard to know what direction the 49ers could go in here, but Patrick Taylor figures to be first in line for touches as the most-tenured member of the Niners. Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Israel Abanikanda only recently joined the team after it was revealed Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason would be placed on injured reserve, but both backs could also work into the mix even if Taylor operates as the lead back.

Vaughn’s practice squad days may be over. Week 14 starter, RB Isaac Guerendo exited with a foot injury and the 49ers have a quick turnaround, facing the Rams on Thursday night in Week 15. Vaughn played inefficiently but is currently penciled in as the team’s No. 2 RB behind Patrick Taylor Jr. The team recently signed RB Israel Abanikanda but kept him inactive this week. Fantasy managers should closely monitor the news for updates on Guerendo’s foot and Vaughn’s depth chart spot in relation to the speedy Abanikanda.

Guerendo’s injury was not immediately apparent though a slight limp was perhaps visible. He briefly stopped by the blue medical tent before walking to the locker room under his own power. This leaves Patrick Taylor Jr. and Ke’Shawn Vaughn as the 49ers’ available RBs. He is questionable to return.

Vaughn had already been on the 49ers practice squad earlier this year, so it’s not surprising they went back to him with their two main backs suddenly on injured reserve. There is no reason to jump the gun on adding Vaughn to your fantasy team. The 27-year-old veteran has not had an NFL carry this season yet.

Taylor was released last week with Christian McCaffrey returning in Week 10. He now returns to the 49ers, having registered seven carries for 25 yards and one catch for 12 yards in eight games for the team this season. In a corresponding move, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn was released from the practice squad.

Breida wasn’t expected to be long for the 49ers after signing with them earlier this month. His signing came following an injury to Isaac Guerendo, and the Niners are already deep at running back with Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, and Jordan Mason sitting atop the depth chart. In addition to Breida, the 49ers also released RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn and waived P Pressley Harvin, OL Lewis Kidd, and WR Jontre Kirklin.

The Buccaneers selected Vaughn in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The former Vanderbilt Commodore never lived up to his Day 2 draft capital, as he seemingly fell behind every running back the team signed after drafting him. To nobody’s surprise, Vaughn played behind Leonard Fournette during his three-year stint with the team, but Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, and rookie UDFA have all been for most of this season. Vaughn has rushed 103 times for 384 yards and two touchdowns in 43 career games. He’s surpassed 50 rushing yards only twice in his career and saw the best game of his career come in December 2021 when he rushed for 7-70-1 against the Panthers. At 26 years old, Vaughn is already nearing the age cliff for running backs, which is yet another indictment on the career backup. He’ll likely get another chance elsewhere, but he has little to no fantasy upside regardless of the landing spot.