It hasn't been two weeks since the San Francisco 49ers began training camp, and injuries are already piling up. Second-year man Jordan James was the first running back to get hit with the bug when he fractured a rib, courtesy of linebacker Fred Warner. James isn't the most tenured back, but he was slated to perform one of the most important backup roles in the league behind star Christian McCaffrey.
It took the team about a week, but they finally responded to the ailment by signing depth piece Khalil Herbert. While the move gives Kyle Shanahan three healthy backs to operate with in camp, it does little to inspire 49er faithful, and, frankly, comes a little too late.
Herbert has received just 52 carries over the past two seasons and represents the leftovers of what was a respectable offseason for free agent running backs. In a summer where Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, Rico Dowdle, Kenneth Gainwell, and Tyler Allgeier all found new homes, the 49ers elected to get worse in the backfield. Former backup Brian Robinson Jr. signed with Atlanta and Gm John Lynch did little to fill the hole. With Isaac Guerendo still not healthy, the red and gold are rolling with a collection of question marks to spell McCaffrey.
49ers clearly haven't learned from previous mistakes
Even before James' injury, the 49ers' backfield depth chart looked about as deep as a kiddie pool. James and rookie Kaelon Black were competing for backup honors, with neither having received a professional regular-season carry.
It was a bold strategy, given that their bellcow just received 413 touches in 2025 and is now 30 years old. With little to no substantial reinforcements, CMC now arguably means too much to the team's success in the coming season.
The only other time McCaffrey failed to play a full season for the 49ers was in 2024, when he appeared in just four games. Paralyzed by the absence of their star back, the 49ers finished 6-11, their only losing season since the Pro-Bowler's arrival.
Herbert indeed gives the 49ers a third option at tailback, but he hardly moves the needle. In reality, the issue should've been dealt with months ago, when numerous veteran backs sat waiting on the free-agent market. San Francisco could've chosen any one of them to alleviate CMC's burden, yet they elected to reach for Black in the third round of the draft.
Now, it appears they are going to have to learn the hard way - again.
The 49ers' refusal to bolster depth behind their stars is already showing, and it's not even September. With injuries mounting, fans can only pray their star running back doesn't go down, or he may bring the season along with him.
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