The 49ers came out of their 53-man roster decisions with something they’ve lacked for a while: real comfort behind Christian McCaffrey.
That matters in San Francisco, because the last thing this team can afford is another season where McCaffrey is carrying too much of the load. The club has already talked about monitoring and even cutting back his workload, and after the way last year went, that idea makes plenty of sense. McCaffrey was run down to the ground, asked to do too much on an injury-ravaged roster, and his explosiveness dipped as the season wore on.
Now the depth chart looks a lot sturdier. The group includes McCaffrey, 2025 fifth-round pick Jordan James, this year’s third-round selection Kaelon Black and Kyle Juszczyk. On top of that, the front office brought Deebo Samuel back to the Bay Area, which gives San Francisco another emergency option if things ever get messy.
Black gave the 49ers reasons to feel better during preseason. He looked comfortable in the new system, and his best showing came against the Los Angeles Chargers, when he ran for 33 yards on eight carries. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak also praised how quickly he has come along.
“I thought he did a really good job. His first time in NFL action, the moment wasn't big for him.
Love his development. Love where he’s at, but he needs to keep getting better, too, and stacking days.
I think we’re going to have a good player on our hands down the road, but he’s got to keep pushing himself every day.”
James had a rougher road. A freak accident involving linebacker Fred Warner led to a rib injury, which interrupted his camp. Even so, when he finally got on the field for the final preseason game, he produced 35 yards on eight carries and averaged 4.4 yards per carry despite essentially missing training camp.
The sample sizes are small, but they point in the same direction: the 49ers appear to have two capable backups at running back. The bigger question is which one becomes McCaffrey’s direct backup, but either way, San Francisco now has options. And over the course of a season, that can make all the difference.
In Other News...
49ers Defensive Line Just Took A Tough Hit Before Week 1
The 49ers defensive front took another hit just before Week 1, losing Sam Okuayinonu to a broken foot and an immediate trip to Injured Reserve. The injury is serious enough to require surgery, and it removes a depth piece from a group that already figures to be under constant pressure to stay healthy and productive over the opening stretch of the season.
Khalid Kareem was brought in on the practice squad to help fill the vacancy on the defensive line, giving San Francisco another body as it adjusts its early-season rotation. For a unit that leans heavily on its front to set the tone, Okuayinonus absence leaves the 49ers having to sort out how much they can ask from the rest of the group while waiting for one of their edge options to get back in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Shanahan Just Touched A 49ers Rams Dynamic Fans Know Too Well
Kyle Shanahans reaction to the 49ers season-opening trip to Australia sounded a lot like the way he has long talked about the NFC West road environment in Los Angeles: the label on the schedule does not always match the feel in the stands. Even with the Rams listed as the home team for the overseas game, Shanahan made it clear that San Franciscos fan base has a way of showing up where it matters, and he expects plenty of red in Melbourne too.
For the 49ers, the bigger issue is less the optics than the edge case built into any game played on another continent. Shanahan pointed out that every week matters across an 18-week season, and a unique opener like this one can shape the competitive balance before the schedule really settles in. It is a reminder that for a team used to leaning on its own crowd and routine, this one already feels a little different from the usual division setup. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Just Got A Week 1 Rams Update That Changes Things
Sean McVay has given the 49ers a clearer picture of what they can expect in Week 1, and it points to a familiar problem being available from the start. Puka Nacua, who has been dealing with psoas soreness, is expected to play when the Rams open the 2026 season against San Francisco. For a 49ers defense that will be trying to set the tone early, the news matters because Nacua has quickly become one of the most important pieces in Los Angeles passing game.
The matchup gets an added wrinkle because it will be played in Melbourne, Australia, the first NFL international game in that country. There had also been some questions around possible discipline under the leagues personal conduct policy, but Nacuas off-field situation is not expected to affect his Week 1 availability. So instead of a short-handed opener, the 49ers now have to prepare as if they will be seeing one of the Rams top targets right away on a stage far from home. [Read more 🡒]