Christian McCaffrey Sidelined: 49ers Audition Trio of Backs to Fill Out Camp Roster
With injuries depleting the backfield, San Francisco is scouting veteran free agents to bolster depth and handle critical preseason carries while their superstar starter remains sidelined.
Video Transcript
San Francisco 49ers are exploring options to bolster their backfield depth, holding workouts for veteran running backs Nyheim Hines and Zamir White on Monday, while also h- hosting free agent running back Blake Watson on an official visit, according to NFL Transactional Wire.
The roster evaluations come at a critical time for San Francisco.
Superstar running back Christian McCaffrey was sidelined during Monday's practice due to tightness.
With a joint practice scheduled this week alongside the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff are unlikely to risk any of their top rotational backs in an exhibition game.
With McCaffrey, Jordan James, Caleb Blake, and Isaac Guendo currently sidelined and working through injuries, the only healthy running backs remaining on the active roster are Patrick Taylor Jr., Sincere McCormick, and Kahlil Herbert.
Speaking on the team's rotational shift on Monday, offensive coordinator Clay Kubiak noted, "Anytime guys are out, it lets guys step up and gives them an opportunity."
Here's a closer look at the three backs that San Francisco worked out.
Blake Watson was an undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2024.
He stands out as a strong candidate for quick signing, given that his Monday stop was an official visit.
During his 2024 pro day, Watson posted elite numbers.
Watson caught the 49ers' attention in last year's preseason while playing against San Francisco, turning in multiple tackle breaking gains of sixteen and eighteen yards.
Nyheim Hines is a fourth-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2018 draft.
Miller Hines spent five productive seasons in Indy before in July 2023, he suffered a jet ski accident that resulted in a torn ACL and LCL.
After a brief stint with the Chargers and the New Orleans Saints last season, the versatile 29-year-old offers extensive pass catching and return capabilities.
And finally, Zamir White, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The six foot, two hundred and fifteen pound back posted his best statistical campaign in 2023, logging four hundred and fifty-one rushing yards and ninety-eight receiving yards.
White saw limited action with Vegas last season and recorded only twelve carries.
While snaps are up for grabs during joint practices and preseason play, any incoming back will have an immediate opportunity to claim a spot on the practice squad roster or the fifty-three man roster in San Francisco's backfield.
