The 49ers’ running back picture is suddenly being framed as a strength, and one preseason showing is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Undrafted rookie Kaelon Black has become part of the conversation after a solid preseason stretch, and one NFL analyst thinks that development could help San Francisco solve a familiar problem: how to keep Christian McCaffrey fresh without overloading him.
Niners reporter Henry Cheal argued that the team “no longer need to worry about” its running back room because of Black’s emergence. In his view, San Francisco’s offseason talk about scaling back McCaffrey’s workload now looks even more sensible.
“One of the big narratives this offseason has been San Francisco saying it will monitor and even reduce McCaffrey’s workload. No games have been played yet, so there’s still time for the approach to change, but the benefits of doing so are simply too good to ignore.
He was run down to the ground last season. He had way too much involvement, his explosiveness declined, and he took on multiple roles on an injury-riddled roster where virtually every starter missed time in one way or another.
Preseason proved encouraging for (Kaelon) Black as he got to grips with the new system, with the matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers particularly standing out as he rushed for 33 yards on eight carries. He also embedded himself well within the team, with offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak praising his development. ...
The sample sizes are small, but they are encouraging and show that the 49ers have two competent backups at running back. It’s unclear who will be the direct backup to McCaffrey right now, but having either player step in when needed would show the 49ers have options, and that could be key over the course of the season."
That argument raises two obvious questions. First, is Black actually ready for a meaningful role in the offense? And second, how much work will he really get?
The caution is obvious. Nobody wants to pile big expectations on a rookie, especially one projected to back up one of the NFL’s best running backs. McCaffrey, who led all pro running backs in receiving yards, is still capable of producing at a high level.
Even so, the 49ers’ plan appears to be in place. They want to trim McCaffrey’s carries to help preserve his career longevity, and Black could be one of the players asked to absorb some of that workload.
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
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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 🡒]