The San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday continued adjusting to life without running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason.
They announced running back Patrick Taylor’s promotion to the active roster from the practice squad, along with the addition of RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn to the practice squad. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens has also been placed on IR.
Taylor’s promotion isn’t a surprise since San Francisco was so thin at running back. Rookie fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo figures to sit atop the depth chart, but until Tuesday the 49ers didn’t have any healthy players behind him. They claimed former New York Jets RB Israel Abanikanda off waivers to give Guerendo a backup. Taylor gives them a third player on the depth chart, while Vaughn re-joining the club adds internal depth.
This is Taylor’s second stint on the active roster this season. He was let go ahead of McCaffrey’s return in Week 10, but he re-signed to their practice squad after clearing waivers. Now he’ll return to the active roster with a chance to carve out an RB2 role behind Guerendo.
Vaughn was with the 49ers during the preseason and also spent time on their practice squad before being released in mid-November. He’s now back with the club.
Givens suffered a torn pec in the 49ers’ Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. His injury-riddled season is over after only eight games. The 2019 undrafted free agent signee posted 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a career-high 3.5 sacks this season.
