Tag: patrick taylor

Fantasy Football: 5 waiver wire running backs to target in Week 17

Trey Benson is among the top running backs to target on the fantasy football waiver wire this week.

Congratulations, you’ve made it to your fantasy football championship game!

Either that or you’re taking a consolation bracket very seriously, or you play in a league that has a Week 18 championship game (which is a bad idea). Regardless of why you’re here, we’re happy to have you.

Bryce Young (4.9%) is suddenly fantasy-relevant at quarterback, Jalen McMillan’s (33.1%) stock is through the roof at wide receiver, and Chigoziem Okonkwo (6.4%) has had a great two-week run at tight end. Today, though, we’re taking a look at the running back position.

We’ve put together a quick list of five running backs to target on the fantasy football waiver wire going into Week 17.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire RB Targets

1. RB Kendre Miller (47.6%): Alvin Kamara is dealing with a groin injury, leaving Miller as the Saints’ primary running back. New Orleans wasn’t able to get anything going against the Packers on Monday, but they’ll have an easier matchup against the Raiders next week.

2. RB Trey Benson (18.1%): James Conner might miss the final two games of the season with a knee injury, leaving Benson as Arizona’s new RB1 (health permitting). Benson missed last week with an ankle injury, so it’s worth taking a look at Michael Carter (0.1%) in case Benson is also held out this week.

3. RB Audric Estime (8.4%): Estime led Denver’s backfield in carries (nine) and rushing yards (48) on Thursday and scored his first NFL touchdown. Broncos coach Sean Payton has hinted that Estime’s workload could increase over the next two weeks.

4. RB Tyjae Spears (48.2%): Spears (14) got more touches than Tony Pollard (12) and he totaled more yards (66 vs. 40) and touchdowns (2 vs. 0). TDs can be fluky, but Spears is worthy of flex consideration.

5. RB Patrick Taylor (33.0%): Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo are all banged up, leaving Patrick Taylor as the 49ers’ de facto RB1. Taylor led the team in carries (eight on Sunday), but Deebo Samuel (five) was also involved. Taylor is worth a look in case Guerendo is sidelined again in Week 17.

Roster percentages for players listed in this article were sourced from ESPN. For more fantasy coverage, check out our fantasy football hub.

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What to expect from ‘likely’ new 49ers starting RB

It’ll be a 4th different starting RB for the 49ers on Sunday.

The San Francisco 49ers will roll out a fourth different starting running back Sunday when they visit the Miami Dolphins.

Rookie fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo had been pushed into the starting role when RBs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason both suffered injuries in a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Now Guerendo is dealing with a hamstring injury that forced him out of the 49ers’ Week 16 game in Miami.

With the rookie also on the sideline, the 49ers are ‘most likely’ turning to fourth-year veteran Patrick Taylor according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Shanahan on Friday told reporters Taylor’s experience with the club and his performance as a special teams contributor earned him the starting job.

“Yeah. He’s been here since training camp,” Shanahan said. “He’s done a real good job for us, played in this league before, has experience there at Green Bay and when he’s gotten his opportunities with us he’s ran the ball well. And when he hasn’t run the ball, he’s really helped us on special teams. So, big opportunity for him and glad we’ve got him.”

Taylor was on the active roster to begin the year while McCaffrey worked through an Achilles injury. He became expendable once McCaffrey returned and the 49ers released him before re-signing him to their practice squad.

This season Taylor has played in 10 games and notched 50 rushing yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. He might eclipse those season totals Sunday with unreliable depth behind him.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn will likely be up from the practice squad, but he’s primarily been a special teams contributor and has two separate practice squad stints after spending part of the preseason with San Francisco.

Israel Abanikanda is also on the roster after the 49ers claimed him off waivers from the Jets. He’s only been with the team three weeks and hasn’t been able to get on the field.

While the 49ers may rotate in other RBs more than they would have with a player higher on the depth chart starting, chances are Taylor will see a lion’s share of the rushing and receiving workload with a chance to eclipse his season totals in one game.

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New injury update for Isaac Guerendo isn’t promising for 49ers rookie

The San Francisco 49ers will have a fourth different starting RB against the Miami Dolphins.

The San Francisco 49ers are going to have a fourth different starting running back this season according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Running back Isaac Guerendo suffered a hamstring injury in the 49ers’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and is unlikely to suit up Sunday for the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

Guerendo was absent from Wednesday’s practice because of the injury.

It’s the second consecutive game the 49ers rookie RB has suffered an injury. He also hurt his foot in Week 14 against the Chicago Bears and was questionable to play in Week 15. He put together a strong outing on the short turnaround to Thursday night, but exited the contest with a new issue.

Guerendo played in only 41 games across five college seasons in part because of injuries. This is the second time as a rookie he’s missed time with a hamstring ailment. He also missed almost all of training camp with the same issue.

With Guerendo out, the 49ers will likely turn to RB Patrick Taylor who has been the backup with Guerendo starting. San Francisco also has Israel Abanikanda who they acquired off waivers from the New York Jets after RBs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason went down with injuries. Ke’Shawn Vaughn is also on the practice squad and may get promoted to the active roster if there’s a player the 49ers wind up placing on IR with three weeks to go.

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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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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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Christian McCaffrey injury fallout continues with more 49ers roster moves

More roster moves for the 49ers on Wednesday.

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.

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49ers re-sign one RB, release another in practice squad shuffle

A familiar RB is back with the 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday announced a couple of corresponding roster moves before they begin their on-field preparations for Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Running back Patrick Taylor Jr. re-signed with the 49ers on their practice squad. To make room on the 16-man practice roster, the team released Ke’Shawn Vaughn.

Taylor spent the first nine weeks of the season with the 49ers, but was released Friday before their Week 10 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to make room for Christian McCaffrey when he returned from IR.

It isn’t a huge surprise to see Taylor back in the team’s facility. He was with the club throughout training camp and the preseason and was fine when called upon. He primarily contributed on special teams, but he did see 21 snaps on offense and posted 25 rushing yards on seven carries.

Taylor will provide internal depth for the 49ers behind McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo on the 53-man roster.

Vaughn also spent significant time with the 49ers in the preseason, but he never broke through to carve out any kind of role. He was released ahead of final cuts and re-signed to the practice squad. Vaughn didn’t appear in a regular-season game.

The 49ers will open their Week 11 practices Wednesday.

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Report: 49ers signing former Packers RB Patrick Taylor to one-year deal

The 49ers are reportedly bringing in a new face to the running back room.

While the San Francisco 49ers missed on restricted Detroit Lions free agent tight end Brock Wright, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan made an addition to the running back room on Wednesday afternoon through free agency.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the 49ers are signing former Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. The three-year veteran rusher will join Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason in the running back room in Santa Clara.

Via @AdamSchefter on Twitter:

Taylor spent three seasons in Green Bay after going undrafted out of Memphis. During his time with the Packers, Taylor rushed for 261 yards and one touchdown. Taylor Jr. has also spent time playing special teams with the Packers.

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

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Packers losing free agent RB Patrick Taylor to 49ers

Former Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor is signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Former Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor is signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Taylor, who played in 34 games for the Packers over the last three seasons, was an unrestricted free agent after not receiving a restricted tender.

The Packers swapped out Aaron Jones for Josh Jacobs, re-signed A.J. Dillon and tendered exclusive rights free agent Emanuel Wilson at running back this offseason.

Taylor played 226 snaps and handled 43 touches (32 rushes, 11 catches) in 2023, setting career highs. He played in both playoff games, including the Packers’ loss to the 49ers.

With Taylor headed for San Francisco, the Packers will likely use the draft to provide necessary depth at running back.

The Packers signed Taylor as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2020. He rushed 65 times for 261 yards and one touchdown and caught 14 passes on 20 targets for 69 yards. Taylor was on the field for 322 offensive snaps and 276 snaps on special teams.

With Taylor now signed, the only free agents still unsigned for the Packers are safety Rudy Ford (unrestricted) and left tackle David Bakhtiari (released, failed physical).

Patrick Taylor got call from Packers just minutes after injuries to RBs vs. Chargers

The Packers didn’t take long to get ahold of RB Patrick Taylor when injuries hit both Aaron Jones and Emanuel Wilson in the second quarter on Sunday.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t take long to get ahold of running back Patrick Taylor — who was on the practice squad of the New England Patriots as of last Sunday — when injuries hit both Aaron Jones and Emanuel Wilson in the second quarter of Green Bay’s 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Their depth at running back devastated by injury and a game to be played Thursday in Detroit, the Packers immediately called Taylor and arranged his return.

How long did it take? Minutes.

“They called me Sunday while the guys were at halftime,” Taylor said Tuesday.

Taylor was watching when Jones and Wilson suffered injuries against the Chargers. Within a few plays, Jones injured his knee on an awkward tackle and Wilson hurt his shoulder while fighting for yards near the sideline.

“I said, we might be going back to the Packers, but I didn’t think it would happen so soon,” Taylor said. “Literally two minutes, three minutes after I said that, my agent called me and I looked at my wife. He (the agent) called her, she said, hey Chris just called. And I looked at her and then she was like, yeah, we are going back to the Packers.”

Taylor said he was on a plane and headed back to Green Bay by 5:00 a.m. Monday morning. He was officially signed to the team’s 53-man roster later Monday. By Thursday, Taylor will be expected to be the top backup behind A.J. Dillon against the Lions at Ford Field.

“It’s a big opportunity for me to put my talent on display,” Taylor said.

Taylor said it was “exciting” to walk back into the facility after being away for over a month.

Taylor, who first arrived in Green Bay in 2020, played four regular season games for the Packers in 2023. He was elevated from the practice squad three times — the maximum in a season — and signed to the 53-man roster before facing the Las Vegas Raiders. But the Packers released him a day after the loss to the Raiders and had no interest in re-signing him to the practice squad.

Taylor found a new opportunity in New England and admitted he wasn’t pleased with how things ended in Green Bay.

“No, they didn’t,” Taylor said when asked if the Packers tried signing him back to the practice squad. “It left a bad taste in my mouth for sure. I know out of everything nobody owes you anything in this league, no matter how hard you work. No matter the things that you do. It’s a performance-based business. If you’re not playing well or you’re not helping the team, they’ll get rid of you. It left a bad taste in my mouth for sure. But I am grateful that it happened because it gave me a different perspective of everything moving forward. But I am grateful for the opportunity to be back here and be back with my boys and play with the Packer G.”

Over the last six weeks, Taylor played 21 snaps for the Packers vs. the Raiders in Las Vegas, was released the next day, flew to Boston, signed with the Patriots, went to Germany during New England’s international trip and is now back in Green Bay with an opportunity to help the Packers in a huge NFC North showdown in Detroit.

Quotes from Packers Wire contributor Paul Bretl was used in this story.