Tag: Isaac Guerendo

No news isn’t good news on 49ers crowded Week 15 practice report

Tuesday’s practice report didn’t have any news for the 49ers as they work through a host of injury problems.

The San Francisco 49ers didn’t have any significant changes on their participation report following Tuesday’s practice.

Monday’s participation report was just an estimate because San Francisco didn’t practice with their quick turnaround to Thursday night when they host the Los Angeles Rams.

However, the report from Tuesday’s walkthrough wasn’t much different from Monday’s. The only change was defensive tackle Khalil Davis showing up as a limited participant with a knee injury after not appearing on Monday’s projection.

While a handful of key players are out of practice, rookie running back Isaac Guerendo is the player to keep the closest eye on. He was a non-participant again because of a foot sprain he suffered in Week 14. Shanahan said there’s some hope he’ll be ready by Thursday, but a couple of non-participations to start the week doesn’t instill much optimism that Guerendo will be ready to suit up against the Rams.

Here’s the full Thursday practice report:

Did not participate

G Ben Bartch (ankle)
DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
RB Isaac Guerendo (foot)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)

Limited participation

LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee)
LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee)
S Malik Mustapha (chest, shoulder)
LB Dee Winters (ankle)
DT Khalil Davis (knee)

Full participation

G Aaron Banks (concussion)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
DE Sam Okuayinonu (wrist)

49ers new starting RB remains out of Week 15 practice with foot injury

Still no Isaac Guerendo in practice for the 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers may be down to their fourth-string running back Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Tuesday told reporters in a pre-practice press conference that rookie running back Isaac Guerendo wouldn’t participate in the day’s session as he continues recovering from a foot sprain he sustained in the team’s 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 14.

Guerendo was in the starting lineup for the first time as a pro because of a knee injury for RB Christian McCaffrey and an ankle injury for RB Jordan Mason. Both players were placed on IR and opened the door for Guerendo, a 2024 fourth-round pick, to step into the starting lineup. He posted 128 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns before exiting against Chicago.

The 49ers didn’t have a practice Monday, but they released a projected participation report that listed Guerendo as a non-participant. It’s not a surprise he’s a non-participant again Tuesday. Shanahan on Monday said Guerendo’s status for Thursday is up in the air.

“The only idea I have is what I told you guys,” Shanahan said via conference call. “He’s got a foot sprain and definitely couldn’t go today. And so, we’ll see if he can go on Thursday, but definitely can’t go (Monday). It’s a quick turnaround, so we’ve got to evaluate him hard each day. I’ll be surprised if he does much tomorrow, but hopefully Thursday will be enough time for him.”

It’s not a great sign that Guerendo hasn’t been able to go the first couple days of the week. The good news for the 49ers is they don’t ultimately have to make a decision until 90 minutes before kickoff unless they rule him out on Wednesday’s injury report.

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49ers RB depth chart is a mess after another injury

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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Injury issues remain on 49ers practice report to begin Week 15

No practice Monday for the 49ers, but here’s what their practice report would’ve looked like.

The San Francisco 49ers are looking for a miracle in order to make it to the postseason for a fourth consecutive season. That miracle doesn’t appear to be coming on the injury front.

Monday’s projected practice report didn’t offer any positive updates on some of the 49ers’ injured stars. The team didn’t practice, but they still have to submit a projected participation report leading up to Thursday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Defensive end Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams both remain out with hip/oblique and ankle injuries, respectively. Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday in a conference call indicated neither player has made much progress over last week. Neither Bosa nor Williams practiced leading up to Week 14. Bosa was listed as doubtful on the injury report before sitting out a third consecutive game. Williams was ruled out on the injury report.

Here’s the full projected practice report:

Did not participate

G Ben Bartch (ankle)
DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
RB Isaac Guerendo (foot)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)

Bartch was hurt in San Francisco’s Week 14 win. He started for Aaron Banks who cleared concussion protocol and is in line to return Thursday. Guerendo also went down in that game and it doesn’t appear he’s on track to suit up in a short week, but Shanahan remains hopeful.

Limited participation

LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee)
LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee)
S Malik Mustapha (chest, shoulder)
LB Dee Winters (ankle)

That’s a lot of banged up LBs! Greenlaw has a chance to make his return Thursday depending on how his week of practice goes, per Shanahan. Mustapha, Gross-Matos and Winters all played well against Chicago, but limited sessions to start the week put a question mark over their availability for Thursday’s contest.

Full participation

G Aaron Banks (concussion)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
DE Sam Okuayinonu (wrist)

Good news all around here with Banks clearing concussion protocol and Hufanga getting through his return from a wrist injury without any setbacks.

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49ers still unsure if rookie RB can play vs. Rams after foot injury

Kyle Shanahan provided an injury update for the 49ers breakout rookie running back.

After a breakout performance in his first career start with the San Francisco 49ers, rookie running back Isaac Guerendo finished Sunday’s blowout win over the Chicago Bears on the sideline.

Guerendo exited the game with a foot injury. Guerendo went into the blue medical tent before heading back to the locker room at Levi’s Stadium. Guerendo was later listed as questionable to return with a foot injury.

On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan provided an update to the rookie’s injury on a conference call with members of the media. Shanahan told reporters that Guerendo suffered a foot sprain on Sunday against the Bears. Shanahan did not provide a status update on his availability for Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams. Shanahan said Guerendo will continue to be evaluated as the week goes on.

With both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on the injured reserve, Guerendo served as the starting rusher in the backfield alongside Brock Purdy on Sunday against the Bears.

Guerendo impressed, rushing for 78 yards on 15 carries. The former Louisville Cardinal grabbed a pair of catches for 50 yards, including an impressive 30-yard reception to set up a touchdown run. Guerendo added two touchdowns against the Bears.

The 49ers will now have a short week before welcoming the division rival Los Angeles Rams to the Bay Area on Thursday night in a key game for the NFC West playoff race.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Former Badger running back explodes for two touchdowns in 49ers blowout win

Former Badger running back explodes for two touchdowns in 49ers blowout win

Former Wisconsin running back Isaac Guerendo exploded for 128 total yards and two rushing touchdowns in the San Francisco 49ers’ 38-13 win vs. the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

A week after all-world running back Christian McCaffrey went down with an injury against the Buffalo Bills, Guerendo assumed the starting running back responsibilities.

He paced the 49ers’ backfield with 15 carries for 78 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the triumph. He also reeled in two catches for 50 receiving yards.

The former Badger’s first score came at the 1:39-minute mark in the first quarter on a one-yard rush. That score put San Francisco up 14-0 and punctuated a dominant first frame of action.

Guerendo crossed the goal line again on the first play of the fourth quarter after rushing up the middle for a four-yard score. He registered two more touches from that point forward to put a ribbon on his most impressive NFL performance of his young career.

Guerendo played for five years at Wisconsin from 2018-2022 before transferring to Louisville for his 2023 season. During his tenure in Madison, he notched 99 carries, 582 yards and six touchdowns in 27 games.

Guerendo is now up to 57 carries, 324 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in his rookie NFL season. He has also recorded seven receptions for 69 yards with the 49ers.

San Francisco will square off next against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Dec. 12.

49ers injury updates immediately following win vs. Chicago Bears

Kyle Shanahan updated the 49ers’ injury outlook and RB Isaac Guerendo’s status immediately following the win vs. the Bears.

San Francisco got a much-needed win on Sunday in its 38-13 blowout victory over the Chicago Bears from Levi’s Stadium.

With the win, San Francisco improves to 6-7 on the season, while Chicago drops its seventh straight and falls to 4-9.

During its dominance of Chicago, the 49ers did sustain a pair of significant injuries. Left guard Ben Bartch and rookie running back Isaac Guerendo each departed with injuries.

Afterwards, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Bartch is believed to have suffered a high ankle sprain and Guerendo might have suffered a foot sprain.

“We’re not sure. Possible foot sprain. X-rays didn’t for sure show anything, so we’ll have to look into it more tomorrow,” Shanahan said of Guerendo.

Already playing without starting left tackle Trent Williams and starting left guard Aaron Banks, San Francisco turned to Bartch up front at left guard.

Bartch exited on San Francisco’s second offensive series with an ankle injury and was eventually ruled out. Third-year pro Spencer Burford replaced Bartch. Burford was the 49ers’ starting right guard over each of the past two seasons.

Elsewhere, with running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason each placed on the IR this week, Guerendo made his first career start against the Bears.

Guerendo enjoyed quite the performance, too. According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, Guerendo joined Huch McElhenny (1952), Earl Cooper (1980) and Carlos Hyde (2015) as 49ers with 100-plus scrimmage yards and at least two touchdowns in their first career start.

Guerendo carried 15 times for 78 yards and tallied rushing scores of 1 and 4 yards. The rookie out of Louisville also caught a pair of passes for 50 yards. But, Guerendo was sidelined with a foot injury on the 49ers’ second-to-last offensive series of the night.

The 49ers will cross their fingers for good news on Guerendo. In the meantime, Shanahan loved what he saw from the recent fourth-round pick.

“Brock got to a check down on that first third down. He was waiting on Kittle to get across the middle and that’s who I was watching, and then he went underneath to Isaac and they just dropped him.

“That was a huge play. I thought Isaac looked real good today. Ran hard, affected the game in the pass game and hopefully we get some good news on his injury. I had mixed emotions on that last drive. It was nice to be able to go on a 14-play drive to finish it with a touchdown and kind of put them away, but it was tough losing Isaac there,” Shanahan said.

Fourth-year pro Patrick Taylor operated as San Francisco’s backup running back against Chicago. Taylor promptly found the end zone on a 3-yard rushing score after Guerendo departed the game with his foot injury.

Taylor ended his night with seven carries for 25 yards and the lone score.

If the 49ers have to turn to Taylor moving forward, Shanahan sounded optimistic about what Taylor could provide.

“I think you guys saw a little bit today. When we’ve given Patrick runs, going back to the preseason and in practice, he’s a good runner, he hits the right spots, he runs hard. So, he’s a guy who can definitely help us.

“He had some big carries I want to say versus Seattle I think it was when JP went out and he was spelling Isaac. He had to spell Isaac today, and, when he went in, did a good job in all of his opportunities,” Shanahan said.

San Francisco starting quarterback Brock Purdy briefly exited the game after a roughing the passer penalty on Bears defensive end Darrell Taylor in the fourth quarter. Taylor’s body weight came down upon Purdy’s head and neck area, but Purdy quickly returned to the action.

Shanahan said there’s always initial concern when any player goes down, but he quickly found out that Purdy was going to be OK.

“Always when any of our players are down. But, they talked to me in my headset and stuff. By the time he got to the sideline, they told me he was good, so it was short-lived,” Shanahan said.

San Francisco returns to action with a Thursday night date against NFC West rival Los Angeles (7-6) in Week 15. The Rams sit a game in front of the 49ers in the division standings and just pulled off a 44-42 upset victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

49ers sustain latest RB injury vs. Chicago Bears

The San Francisco 49ers sustained another injury at running back during their Sunday contest against the Chicago Bears.

The San Francisco 49ers have been dealing with all sorts of injury concerns in their offensive backfield.

Star running back Christian McCaffrey and fellow running back Jordan Mason were each placed on the IR this week. McCaffrey is dealing with a PCL injury while Mason is nursing an ankle injury.

That meant that the 49ers needed to turn to rookie running back Isaac Guerendo on Sunday against the Chicago Bears and for the remainder of the regular season.

Making his first career against the Bears, Guerendo was performing admirably on Sunday. Guerendo tallied 15 carries for 78 rushing yards and rushing scores of 1 and 4 yards. The Louisville product also caught a pair of passes for 50 yards.

With his 128 scrimmage yards against the Bears, Guerendo joined a select list of 49ers with 100-plus scrimmage yards and at least two touchdowns in their first career start.

But, Guerendo exited the 49ers’ game against Chicago with a reported foot injury. Guerendo was listed as questionable to return.

Fourth-year pro Patrick Taylor is operating as the 49ers’ backup running back. Following Guerendo’s injury exit, Taylor promptly reached the end zone on a 3-yard rushing score to extend the 49ers’ commanding lead over the Bears to 38-13.

After the 49ers’ win over the Bears, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan provided an update on Guerendo’s status.

“We’re not sure. Possible foot sprain. X-rays didn’t for sure show anything, so we’ll have to look into it more tomorrow,” Shanahan said.

Given the 49ers’ running back health situation, Guerendo’s status will be a key storyline heading into Thursday’s date against the Los Angeles Rams.

Rookie Isaac Guerendo finishes impressive drive with TD run vs. Bears

The rookie running back showed off on an impressive drive that included a long catch and TD run against the Bears.

With Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on the injured reserve, Sunday’s contest against the Chicago Bears marked the first start for San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo.

After helping the 49ers down the field early for a touchdown against the Bears, Guerendo impressed again on the second 49ers scoring drive on Sunday in Santa Clara.

Prior to a short touchdown run, Guerendo showed off his receiving skills with a catch on a high-arcing pass from Brock Purdy. On the next play, Guerendo punched in a one-yard touchdown run to give the 49ers’ a 14-0 lead in the first quarter against the Bears.

Via @49ers on Twitter:

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Who will 49ers backup RB be against the Bears in Week 14?

So, what’s the 49ers RB depth chart look like for Sunday?

The San Francisco 49ers’ exceedingly deep backfield thinned out rapidly when running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason both went down with injuries during the team’s Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

McCaffrey is already on Injured Reserve because of a PCL injury in his knee, and Mason is expected to land there with a high ankle sprain. That leaves rookie running back Isaac Guerendo atop the depth chart with only unproven players behind him.

It stands to reason Guerendo will play a lion’s share of the snaps. If he does, expect RB Patrick Taylor to work in as the backup for now. He was with the team throughout the offseason and played in the team’s first eight games of the regular season. In those contests he primarily contributed on special teams, but he also had seven carries for 25 yards and one reception for 12 yards.

His familiarity with the offense should make him head coach Kyle Shanahan’s trusted No. 2 RB in Sunday’s showdown with the Chicago Bears.

Recently-acquired RB Israel Abanikanda figures to work in as the No. 3 RB behind Taylor. Shanahan on Wednesday said he’s familiar with Abanikanda after scouting him in the 2023 draft.

“I liked him coming out of college,” Shanahan said. “I haven’t studied him a ton in the NFL, but he was a guy that I had good notes on from college and liked. And I know our scouting department thought he was the best guy out there being available and stuff. So in our situation, especially glad to get him here.”

While Shanahan liked him in the draft, that doesn’t mean he’ll automatically step into a huge role. The 49ers on Tuesday claimed him off waivers which means he’s had only three practices with the team. His lack of familiarity with the offense may limit him early and relegate him to a backup role even if Taylor steps into a larger workload.

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