RADIO
Kaelon Black Remains an Appealing Running Back Stash on the Waiver Wire
Across the first four games of his NFL career, San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black has recorded 31 carries for 120 yards. Black's production upside in San Francisco is firmly capped by the presence of superstar 49ers back Christian McCaffrey. As long as McCaffrey remains healthy, Black is highly unlikely to provide fantasy managers with consistent production. However, Black has clearly established himself as San Francisco's RB2. McCaffrey is in his age-30 season, has a history of significant injuries, and is coming off an NFL-leading 413 touches in 2025. If McCaffrey were to get injured, Black could immediately vault into must-start running back status as the lead back in the potent 49ers offense. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Black remains a worthy waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black's Playing Time At Risk
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black saw a healthy 38.5% snap share in the first two games of the season. The 49ers had both contests well in hand early on, allowing them to get Black involved frequently as a means of managing Christian McCaffrey's workload. When the Cardinals proved surprisingly pesky in Week 3, San Francisco leaned on their star at the expense of the rookie, who saw just eight snaps to CMC's 45. That pattern may follow in Week 4, when the 49ers take on the Denver Broncos, who have engineered fourth-quarter comebacks in each of the last two weeks. On the plus side, the Broncos have been soft against the run so far in 2026, giving up the third-highest yards per carry and highest EPA per rush attempt. Black is projected as a borderline RB4/5 for Week 4. Fantasy managers may want to look for an option with more certain playing time before plugging Black into their lineups.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Christian McCaffrey Matches Up Well Against Broncos
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is in line for a productive Week 4 when he squares off against the Denver Broncos. So far in 2026, Denver has given up the third-most rushing yards, has the highest EPA allowed per run, and has the most missed tackles in the league. The Broncos defense will also be missing linebacker Dondrea Tillman (hamstring). This makes for an inviting matchup for McCaffrey, who owns the league's fifth-best rushing success rate and the highest average rushing yards before contact among starting running backs. As usual, McCaffrey can be expected to be one of quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite targets. And with Mike Evans (ribs) questionable and expected to be a game-time decision on Sunday, McCaffrey could see his receiving work increase. The Broncos gave up six catches for 70 yards to Kyren Williams last week. McCaffrey is projected as the overall RB6 in Week 4.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Kaelon Black Still a Valuable Insurance Back Despite Dwindling Usage
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black has seen his involvement dwindle week over week, but he remains one of the most valuable insurance backs in the league. After carrying the ball 14 times in the season opener, Black has logged only 11 carries over the past two outings, and he's a player to look out for as a potential post-waiver pickup. With injuries mounting and bye weeks approaching, Black could be dropped by managers facing a roster crunch, and while he may not have the standalone value implied by his Week 1 usage, he is still worthy of an end-of-bench spot. Over three games, he has racked up 107 rushing yards on his 25 carries, and he has weekly RB1 potential if All-Pro Christian McCaffrey were to miss time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black Could Get More Opportunities in Week 3 vs. Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black could be a sneaky fantasy asset in Week 3 against the visiting Arizona Cardinals. The rookie back is still looking for his first regular-season touchdown but has made the most of his opportunities thus far, logging 21 carries for 90 yards through his first two games. The 49ers are favored in Sunday's matchup and the Cardinals' defense is spotty, allowing 243 rushing yards over two games. An early advantage, especially on the ground, could lead San Francisco to ease off star RB Christian McCaffrey and give Black more opportunities. The Indiana product still doesn't play enough to be viable in redraft fantasy leagues, but has become a valuable stash in deeper formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Christian McCaffrey Set for Bounce-Back Week vs. Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has the opportunity to bounce back when his team hosts the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. The star back was part of a large contingent of players who didn't participate in Wednesday's practice but returned on Thursday to prepare for Sunday's divisional matchup. McCaffrey was held to 23 yards on 10 carries in Week 2 but scored two rushing TDs in a convincing 35-13 win against the Miami Dolphins. Arizona has struggled to contain the run early in the 2026 campaign, allowing 243 yards and one touchdown on the ground through two games. CMC should be able to exploit the Cardinals' defense, setting the table for a strong Week 3 across fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kyle Juszczyk Fined by NFL for "Chugging Beer"
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk has been fined $14,926 for engaging in an offensive demonstration in Sunday's 35-13 win over the Dolphins. Juszczyk scored a third-quarter touchdown and celebrated by simulating the sharing of a drink with teammate Deebo Samuel Sr. "Your imitation of chugging a beer constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste," the NFL wrote in the fine letter made public on Thursday. Juszczyk has appealed the fine, according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter. An injury-depleted 49ers team will host the Cardinals in Week 3 in a divisional matchup in which they are favored by more than a touchdown, potentially giving the 14th-year fullback another chance to find the end zone.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Kaelon Black Keeps a Useful Role Behind Starting RB
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black remains a strong Week 3 waiver target despite a quieter showing against Miami. Black carried seven times for 25 yards after handling 14 carries for 65 yards in the opener, and he played roughly one-third of the offensive snaps Sunday. Christian McCaffrey remains the clear lead back and handled both goal-line touchdowns, so Black's standalone value is still somewhat dependent on game script. Even so, San Francisco has given the rookie 21 carries through two games, which is enough to make his role worth taking seriously. RotoBaller currently recommends adding Black in 10-team leagues and deeper, viewing him as one of fantasy's better handcuffs with some standalone appeal. He does not need to be forced into lineups every week, but the combination of regular rushing work and the upside he would carry if McCaffrey missed time makes Black a worthwhile waiver add rather than a bench-only lottery ticket.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black Active Against Dolphins
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (groin) is listed as active for Sunday's Week 2 battle against the visiting Miami Dolphins, the Athletic's Matt Barrows reported via the X platform. Black was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday after sustaining the injury mid-week, but didn't appear on the injury list ahead of Sunday's home opener. The rookie back out of Indiana had 14 carries for 65 yards against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, and he should have an even easier time getting the ball downfield against a Dolphins defense that allowed 130 rushing yards to the Las Vegas Raiders to open up the season. The 49ers will likely lean heavily on Christian McCaffrey once again, but Black should see a similar workload to Week 1 if his injury doesn't flare up mid-game.
Source: Matt Barrows
Source: Matt Barrows
Kaelon Black Expected to Play Against Miami on Sunday
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (groin) is expected to be active for Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Miami Dolphins, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. He was listed as questionable after logging limited practice sessions on Thursday and Friday, but it appears that he'll be healthy enough to play this weekend. Black is coming off a very impressive NFL debut against the Los Angeles Rams during Week 1 in Australia. He took on a sizable role in the Niners' victory, rushing for 65 yards on 14 carries despite being listed second on the depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey. His astoundingly high volume could be the product of San Francisco jumping out to an early lead, but we'd expect a similar workload in Week 2 with the 49ers favored by 13.5 points over the Dolphins.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Kaelon Black is a Shaky Flex Play
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (groin) is considered questionable ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Black was impressive during his NFL debut when he rushed for 65 yards on 14 attempts in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. It was surprising to see the rookie back see that many carries in the backfield, which led him to be a popular waiver wire pickup. Now, Black is uncertain to play on Sunday due to groin tightness. Even if he does play, Black will be a risky starting option given the fact that he probably won't be 100 percent healthy heading into this game. The 49ers might lean on Jordan James or wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to relieve Christian McCaffrey in the backfield. Fantasy managers should consider Black a low-end flex option for this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kaelon Black Now A Risky Flex In Week 2
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (groin) made a good first impression in his NFL debut last week. Black handled 14 carries for 65 yards and caught one pass for five receiving yards in the 49ers' Week 1 win over the Rams. San Francisco was in the driver's seat for much of the game, affording them the luxury of rotating Black into the backfield regularly in an effort to keep Christian McCaffrey fresh. Black was added to the injury report on Thursday due to groin tightness and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. With the 49ers heavily favored, Black started the week as a flex candidate in an expected blowout, but his updated status makes him a risky start. If Black is restricted, then fellow backup Jordan James might spell McCaffrey, with wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. potentially seeing some backfield work as well.
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey In Line For RB1 Performance In Favorable Matchup
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had 68 rushing yards on 10 carries and converted eight targets into five catches for 20 receiving yards in last week's win over the Rams. His modest output in that game resulted from the 49ers' overall dominance and the effectiveness of backup Kaelon Black (groin), who had 14 carries of his own. With San Francisco heavily favored against the Dolphins in Week 2, there will be less of a need for McCaffrey to produce. However, Black was nursing groin tightness in practices this week and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Restrictions on Black may increase McCaffrey's workload, or open the door for backup Jordan James to get involved. Regardless, McCaffrey's status in San Francisco's offense and his effectiveness when on the field keep him in contention for a top-five finish. As in any week when McCaffrey is healthy, he is a must-start.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jordan James Could Move into RB2 Role
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James could step in as the primary backup this weekend against the Miami Dolphins. Rookie back Kaelon Black (groin) is currently listed as questionable for the Week 2 matchup in Miami. If he gets downgraded, James figures to move into the primary backup role behind Christian McCaffrey. James was inactive for Thursday's season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. The 22-year-old probably won't have a role normally unless there is an injury in the backfield. This could be his opportunity to prove he deserves more playing time. Black saw 14 carries during the season opener, so James could be an interesting handcuff if the rookie is unable to go.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kaelon Black Questionable for Week 2
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black (groin) is listed as questionable to play in the team's Week 2 contest on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Black popped up on the team's injury report on Thursday and was listed as limited, the first sign that he might be in danger of missing this weekend's home opener. The 24-year-old third-rounder from Indiana has become the handcuff option for fantasy managers who have Christian McCaffrey rostered after he was impressive with 14 carries for 65 yards in the season-opening win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia last week. If Black is unavailable to play in what would be his second NFL game, Jordan James would see a much bigger role as the change-of-pace option behind CMC, who the 49ers might be looking to monitor in terms of his workload all season long.
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
