The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for rookie running back Isaac Guerendo to take on the primary ball-carrying duties for the remainder of the season. Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason, the team's top two running backs, are expected to be placed on injured reserve following injuries sustained during Sunday night's loss to the Buffalo Bills.
McCaffrey's right posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury will require an estimated six weeks of recovery. However, with just five regular-season games remaining and slim playoff hopes, his 2024 season appears all but over.
Mason's injury came as a surprise to many. The running back suffered a high-ankle sprain, a setback typically requiring an extended recovery period. Given the physical demands of the position, Mason is also unlikely to return before the end of the season.
Guerendo's opportunity to shine
Guerendo, a speedy rookie drafted in the fourth round, will now shoulder the heavy offensive workload. While his opportunities have been limited this season, he has flashed big-play potential. His longest run—a 76-yard dash against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6—showcased his explosiveness.
According to Pro Football Focus, Guerendo has recorded five explosive runs (gains of 10 or more yards), four of which were designed runs that exceeded 15 yards. He has totaled 246 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 42 carries while adding five receptions for 19 yards.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Guerendo's 4.33-second 40-yard dash ranked as the fastest among running backs at the Indianapolis event and tied for third overall among the NFL hopefuls.
During a Monday conference call, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that the 49ers would lean on Guerendo moving forward. The team also plans to promote Patrick Taylor from the practice squad.
"And we'll most likely have to look for another [running back]," Shanahan added.
Guerendo will have an opportunity to prove he can be more than just a change-of-pace option at the NFL level.
Shanahan gets emotional
During the same call, Shanahan became noticeably emotional when discussing offensive tackle Trent Williams. The player and his wife, Sondra, have been grieving the stillbirth of their son, Trenton O'Brien Williams Jr., on November 24.
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Sondra shared the heartbreaking news on social media, revealing that Trenton was stillborn at 35 weeks, following the earlier loss of his twin during the pregnancy.
"I'm at peace knowing you will never have to suffer," Sondra wrote. "Although I will never hear your soft coos and cries or see those beautiful little eyes staring up at me, I am grateful to God for the time I shared with you."
Shanahan, a father himself, shared that Williams took time last week to grieve, becoming emotional as he offered further details.
"[It's] something that happened that last week, and he was there at the hospital with her and got to meet him and say bye," Shanahan shared, his voice starting to break. "And then, he had to cremate him on Friday, so he's been dealing with that, and he's working through it. But we're all just trying to be here for him through it all."
This season, the 49ers have faced multiple instances of rallying around teammates during personal tragedies. Cornerback Charvarius Ward returned to action Sunday night after being away since Week 8 to grieve the loss of his young daughter.
"When you've got to deal with tragedies like this, it's hard as a coach, it's hard as a friend, it's hard as a family member, it's hard for everybody," Shanahan explained. "But we spend a lot of time with each other, and that's what's cool about a football team. Whatever you go through, the good or the bad, we go through it together."
Shanahan added, "I do like that they have this. They have a group of guys they can go to, a group of guys that could see them every day. And you can't ever escape that full grief and stuff. But I do think it's nice for those guys to have another avenue to get out on the football field, to get around teammates and things like that."
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