Injuries have been the name of the game for the San Francisco 49ers over the past year or so. Their 2024 campaign was disrupted from the get-go due to injuries, and with training camp beginning to wind down, players up and down their roster are dealing with various ailments. One spot that hasn’t been hit too hard, though, is the running back position.
Christian McCaffrey missed the majority of the season last year, with his two backups, Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo, also missing time due to their own injuries. That forced Patrick Taylor Jr. into the action unexpectedly, and he impressed during his limited time on the field. However, after San Francisco’s latest injury announcement, it looks like he won’t have an opportunity to build off of his solid play in 2024.
49ers Place Patrick Taylor Jr. on Injured Reserve
Taylor didn’t get selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he managed to find his way onto the Green Bay Packers roster. After spending the 2020 season on their practice squad, Taylor would assume a backup role with the Packers from 2021 to 2023. He briefly spent time with the New England Patriots on their practice squad in 2023, before returning to the Packers later in the season.
The 49ers scooped Taylor up in free agency last season and initially stashed him on their practice squad. With all of their aforementioned injuries, though, the team was eventually forced to utilize Taylor more later in the season, as he earned the first start of his NFL career in Week 16 against the Miami Dolphins. All in all, Taylor racked up 183 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries, good for a solid 4.7 yards per carry.
While Mason got traded to the Minnesota Vikings over the offseason, Taylor was still sitting behind McCaffrey and Guerendo entering the 2025 campaign. In San Francisco’s second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, though, Taylor suffered a dislocated shoulder, and after taking a couple of days to get a medical evaluation on the ailment, the team opted to shut him down for the season by placing him on injured reserve on Tuesday.
“The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have signed QB Nate Sudfeld to a one-year deal. In order to make room on the roster, the team placed RB Patrick Taylor Jr. on the Injured Reserve List,” the 49ers announced on their official website.
49ers Running Back Depth Takes a Hit with Patrick Taylor Jr. Injury
GettySan Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr celebrates after scoring a fourth quarter touchdown against the Chicago Bears
Taylor wasn’t going to be the Niners’ featured running back in 2025, but losing him hurts the team’s depth at the position. As San Francisco saw last season, there’s no guarantee that McCaffrey is going to be able to suit up for all 17 games, so having some insurance at running back would certainly be nice. Guerendo proved to be an effective option last season, but there isn’t much behind him with Taylor out.
This is a crushing blow for Taylor, who seemed to have found a home for himself with the 49ers after moving on from the Packers. All he can do now is work on getting himself healthy for the 2026 season, so while San Fran is attempting to get back on track after their rough year in 2024, Taylor will be busy working on his injury rehab behind the scenes.
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