So …. what’s the 49ers backfield look like if Isaac Guerendo can’t play Thursday?
The San Francisco 49ers didn’t anticipate getting down to a fourth-string running back, but they may find themselves in that situation entering a Week 15 showdown with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium.
With running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on IR, the 49ers turned to rookie RB Isaac Guerendo to start their Week 14 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Guerendo acquitted himself well in the starting role, but he sprained his foot and may wind up missing Thursday’s game.
If Guerendo can’t play, it would appear RB Patrick Taylor would be in line to start. He was RB2 behind Guerendo on Sunday and churned out 25 yards with a touchdown on seven carries. Behind Taylor was Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a practice squad call up who re-signed with the 49ers after Mason and McCaffrey went down.
The unknown commodity is second-year RB Israel Abanikanda, who the 49ers claimed off waivers the Tuesday after their top two RBs went down.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday in a conference call with reporters indicated Taylor would likely be the No. 1 back when the 49ers host the Rams on Thursday.
“We look for guys who have the ability to make your team,” Shanahan said. “And in order to have the ability to make your team you’ve got to have the running skills that we like, to where we feel if your opportunity ever comes that you’re going to be a tough runner who hits the right holes and fights for yards. And also, if you can’t make one of those top two positions, how well you can help on special teams. He had done both of those things in his career at Green Bay and he’s been doing them for us since he got here. And if Isaac can’t go, it’ll be his opportunity. And I think as you guys saw him run yesterday or as we did earlier in the year versus Seattle, he’s a solid, good back.”
Shanahan also said the team expects Abanikanda to be ready after getting a couple weeks of practice.
“He was meeting with (RB coach Robert) Bobby (Turner) and everybody extra,” Shanahan said. “He’s getting his reps on the field. We script it all so it comes along out there, but that’s more in the meeting room and everything, just being able to line up and do everything we ask. His opportunity is getting closer, especially Isaac getting banged up. So, you’ve always got to have three guys in the building in case situations like this happen. And hopefully it doesn’t have to come to that, but if it does, we expect him to be ready.”
It appears Taylor is in line for the start, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 49ers lean back toward the more committee-based approach they used prior to landing McCaffrey midway through the 2022 season. In that event, Vaughn may get the first opportunities after Taylor, but Abanikanda figures to be in the mix barring a breakout game from one of the other two backs.
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