The San Francisco 49ers have been hit hard by injuries this season. It seems like guys at every position have missed time, including key players and contributors on both sides of the ball. But no position has been hit harder than running back, and they’ll be forced to dig deep down their roster for their upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins.
49ers: Isaac Guerendo Likely To Sit Out Week 16
It all started with Christian McCaffrey. After leading the NFL in rushing yards, scrimmage yards, and total touchdowns in 2023, McCaffrey missed the first eight games this season with Achilles tendonitis. He was able to play in Weeks 9 through 12, though his production was never approached the level that it was at least season, and he was lost for the season when he injured his knee against the Bills in Buffalo.
Not having arguably the best running back in the league was certainly a tough blow, but the 49ers had a solid succession plan. Jordan Mason was able to fill in nicely in the games that McCaffrey missed, rushing for an average of 66 yards per game, including three 100+ yard efforts over the first four weeks of the season.
49ers ruled out RB Isaac Guerendo and OT Trent Williams for Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2024
But in the same game in which McCaffrey was lost for the season, Mason suffered a high-ankle sprain and was placed on the injured reserved list as well. Little known running back Isaac Guerendo stepped up in recent weeks, totaling 203 yards from scrimmage in just the past two games, but he is now dealing with a hamstring injury himself. The 4th-stringer is listed on the injury report for the 49ers in Week 16, and is unlikely to suit up against the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.
Where does San Francisco go from here? There are two running backs left on the 49ers’ active roster. Patrick Taylor is the one who has gotten the most reps, with 15 touches in 2024 that have gone for a total of 62 yards. The other is Israel Abanikanda, who hasn’t gotten a single touch yet this season, and has only been on the roster since December 2nd.
The running game will also be affected by an ailing offensive line. Perhaps the most notable absence of all for the 49ers offense will be Trent Williams, the All-Pro tackle who has missed each of the past four games with an ankle injury.
San Francisco is technically and mathematically still alive in the NFC playoff picture, but will be officially eliminated with a loss on Sunday.
