Fantasy Football News

The 49ers drafted Indiana RB Kaelon Black in Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Black spent his first two seasons at James Madison, emerging as a sophomore with 891 total yards and a 27-254-4 receiving line. He followed HC Curt Cignetti to Indiana and, after a quiet 2024, earned a larger role last fall. Black held the 1B role behind fellow prospect Roman Hemby, posting 186-1040-10 (5.6 yards per carry). He was a non-factor in the passing game, though, mustering only 4 receptions for 36 yards. Overall, Black presents adequate size (5’9, 208 pounds) and a low pad level that helps him fight through contact. He posted a solid 3.47 yards after contact per attempt in 2025. Still, this is a surprising selection considering Black wasn't invited to the NFL Combine. He was graded by The Athletic's Dane Brugler as a 5th-6th round value.

The 49ers might be preparing to hand a high-value job to a player with little NFL experience. According to The Athletic's Matt Barrows, second-year RB Jordan James "appears to be the frontrunner to be the top backup this season." San Francisco drafted James in the fifth round last year, but an injury-plagued summer kept him from competing for a regular-season roster spot. James didn't touch the ball until the playoff loss to Seattle (six carries and one catch at the end of a blowout).

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) is active for today’s game vs. the Seahawks. He popped up on Thursday’s injury report as limited and officially did not practice on Friday. McCaffrey went through an extensive warmup on Friday, though, and didn’t sound concerned about his status afterward. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported this morning that scans on McCaffrey’s calf came back “completely clean.” There’s still some additional risk here, but CMC belongs in Week 1 fantasy lineups. RB Jordan James (finger) is inactive today, leaving RBs Brian Robinson and Isaac Guerendo behind McCaffrey.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Seahawks. He was added to the injury report and limited in practice on Thursday and officially did not practice on Friday. McCaffrey was on the field going through warmups at the start of Friday's practice, though, and looked reasonably healthy. We'll surely get multiple updates on McCaffrey between now and kickoff on Sunday. Hopefully he's not a game-time decision, though, because 49ers-Seahawks doesn't kick off until 4:05 pm ET. McCaffrey's absence would leave Brian Robinson as San Francisco's lead back, although it's unclear exactly how big a role he'd be ready for after joining the team on August 22. RB Isaac Guerendo will also be available for the 'Niners, but RB Jordan James (finger) is doubtful.

49ers’ second-string RB Isaac Guerendo returned to practice on Tuesday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Guerendo had been sidelined for multiple weeks with a shoulder injury.

San Francisco rookie RB Jordan James suffered a broken finger and will miss a few weeks, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic.

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo is expected to miss "a few weeks" with a shoulder injury suffered in training camp, HC Kyle Shanahan said Monday. We're about a month away from the start of the regular season, so it sounds like Guerendo has a chance to be ready for Week 1. But we'll keep tabs on his status.

49ers rookie RB Jordan James is dealing with a knee issue and has missed most of the practice week. HC Kyle Shanahan said James will be re-evaluated as the week progresses, so a return as early as next week is possible. James had made some early noise in camp while Christian McCaffrey rested, and with little depth behind him after the team cut RB Israel Abanikanda.

The 49ers selected Oregon RB Jordan James with the 147th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. James is one of the youngest players in the entire class. (He turned just 21 in March.) After splitting carries with Bucky Irving in 2023, James moved up to the 1A in the Oregon offense in 2024. The result: 1,267 yards and 15 TDs, good for 90.5 rushing yards per game and 1.07 TDs per game. His advanced metrics weren’t as rosy, though. Among 82 RBs with 150+ carries, James ranked 61st in yards after contact per attempt and 37th in Pro Football Focus Elusive Rating. Like most backs at Oregon, he’s shifty with great deep speed and receiving ability. He isn’t on the same level as Irving, but James has room to improve given his young age.