This is going to shock absolutely nobody, but the San Francisco 49ers are having injury issues this summer.
The running back room, in particular, has been ravaged by injuries. Isaac Guerendo is on the PUP list, Kaelon Black has no timeline to return with an adductor injury, and Jordan James is expected to miss weeks with a rib injury. The cherry on top is that Christian McCaffrey has now missed a week of practices with "tightness."
Behind those running backs, the 49ers have Patrick Taylor Jr., Sincere McCormick, Zamir White, and Khalil Herbert. None of those running backs impressed in the 49ers' preseason game, though, so depth may be a concern.
As a result, some are urging the 49ers to add an experienced body to the room.
49ers Have Options in Free Agency
Parker Hurley of 49ers OnSI thinks the 49ers need to go ahead and add a veteran free agent.
"In the preseason opener, McCormick was the best with 38 yards on 10 carries. Herbert had 18 yards on six carries, while White had one yard on two carries, and Taylor had an uninspiring -5 yards on five carries," said Hurley.
"As things stand, one of those four has a great chance to make the team and compete for touches in Week 1. If that is not a sign they need to sign a running back, there is not one."
As Hurley mentioned, it's probably not a good sign that one of those four running backs is in position to make the roster. We know the 49ers have been snakebit by injuries, so the team shouldn't be content with questionable depth.
There are some solid options available in free agency as well, should the 49ers go that route.
"Najee Harris, Antonio Gibson, Nick Chubb, Raheem Mostert, Kareem Hunt, Miles Sanders, Alex Mattison, and Cam Akers are some of the best names available. At least they have experience and can take backup work," Hurley mentioned.
Mostert is a guy who has plenty of experience in Kyle Shanahan's offense. Mostert had some of his best seasons with the 49ers and is a nice pass-catching threat out of the backfield.
Hunt is another excellent pass-catcher who would excel as a change-of-pace back. Sanders, Chubb, Gibson, and Harris are more downhill running backs who thrive in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Any of Hurley's options would seemingly be an upgrade over what the 49ers currently have.
