Patrick

Taylor

Wagoner said he saw “some good stuff” from James as a rusher and receiver today, but noted it’s still early. Today was the 49ers’ first training camp practice. Wagoner’s notes seemed to indicate rookie RB Kaelon Black is in the No. 3 spot while veteran RB Patrick Taylor Jr. sits at No. 4. Things can change quickly, but today’s report backs up what we catalogued here from March through May — that James is next up behind starting RB Christian McCaffrey. He is a worthwhile late-round dart throw in summer drafts right now.

Taylor ran 39 times for 183 yards and a touchdown with the 49ers in 2024. He suffered a shoulder injury in that season, which would eventually require surgery. The procedure knocked him out of the 2025 season entirely. He will not return to San Francisco as a depth option and a special teamer.

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.

Taylor drew the start in the backfield in the absence of Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, and Jordan James, losing six yards on four carries prior to departing with a shoulder injury. While listed questionable to return, it would stand to reason that his day is done. Corey Kiner was the next back up Saturday.

James was a productive rusher and receiver while serving as Oregon’s 2024 starter. He’ll attempt to challenge veteran RB Patrick Taylor Jr. for the No. 3 role in the 49ers’ July training camp. With just Day 3 draft capital, James has a long way to go before finding re-draft relevance but he is worthy of a bench spot in dynasty leagues.

Taylor rushed 39 times for 183 yards and a touchdown last year. The bulk of his production came late in the year when San Francisco’s running back room was wrecked by injuries. Taylor also played on special teams throughout the year and that will likely be his role in 2025.

Taylor’s second spot start of the season went a lot better than his first in Week 16. With his long run going for “just” 29 yards, the first 100-yard outing of Taylor’s career wasn’t about only one big run. He more than doubled his previous personal best of 53 yards rushing from Week 18 2021. Good stuff, but not the sort of thing that is going to be a career-maker for a soon-to-be 27-year-old at this point. “PTJ” is headed back to unrestricted free agency, where the 49ers should be light favorites to re-sign him.

Guerendo’s continued participation is a net positive but ideally, we will see him practice in full on Saturday. It is tough to predict how Kyle Shanahan will split up backfield touches although he tends to load up his lead rusher even if they are playing through injuries. If Guerendo is active, he is a volume-based RB2. Patrick Taylor Jr. could mix in for single-digit touches.

Beat reporter Nick Wagoner expects Guerendo to be counted as a limited participant on Thursday, which bodes positively for Guerenedo’s Week 17 Monday Night Football availability. Guerendo was unable to play in Week 16, sidelined all week by his two lower-body injuries. Patrick Taylor Jr. would likely become a fantasy non-factor if Guerendo is active.