RADIO
Jordan James No Longer a Handcuff to Target in Fantasy Drafts
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James seems to have lost his appeal as a handcuff option in fantasy football. Heading into the back half of August, it seemed like James was in line to earn the No. 2 running back role behind Christian McCaffrey, especially after Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) was placed on the PUP list. Instead, James is third on the depth chart while rookie Kaelon Black occupies the backup role. In years past, we have seen that the 49ers' No. 2 running back only has fantasy value when McCaffrey misses time. In other words, his backup has always been a handcuff and never really possessed standalone value. Now that James has fallen to third on the depth chart, his fantasy value is dwindling even further. He's still worth stashing in deeper leagues in case the depth chart changes or McCaffrey gets hurt and Black can't handle the lead-back role on his own. However, there's no incentive to roster him in redraft leagues at the moment.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian McCaffrey "Looks Ready for Week 1"
CBS Sports' Matt Lively thinks that San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) "certainly looks ready for Week 1" after seeing him practice on Tuesday. McCaffrey, who missed some training camp practices with an undisclosed issue, looked spry in a video that Lively posted of 49ers practice. CMC was catching passes and running around in full uniform, so he looks ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener next Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia, barring any setbacks between now and then. San Francisco most likely was just keeping the oft-injured star RB in bubble wrap during camp and the preseason, especially when considering the rest of their backfield was banged up as well. All signs point to McCaffrey being a full-go for Week 1, and he still has league-winning upside as a top-five fantasy RB, albeit with more risk than some of the other top names at the position. McCaffrey managed to play in all 17 regular-season games a year ago to finish as the RB1 in fantasy, recording 1,202 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns and 924 receiving yards with another seven scores through the air.
Source: CBS Sports Bay Area - Matt Lively
Source: CBS Sports Bay Area - Matt Lively
Isaac Guerendo Placed on PUP List, Out for Four Games
San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. He will now miss at least four games, keeping him sidelined through the entire month of September. At the earliest, he can return in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks on October 11. Guerendo did not play an offensive snap last year, but he was heavily involved as the primary backup to Christian McCaffrey in 2024. That year, he tallied 420 rushing yards, 152 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. There's a chance that Guerendo could return to that level of production (and his role as the No. 2 ball-carrier) once he's healthy again, but in the meantime, Kaelon Black and Jordan James will round out the depth chart behind McCaffrey.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Christian McCaffrey a Top Target in Drafts Despite Steep Price Tag
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has an average draft position of 6.4, making him a mid-first-round pick in most fantasy leagues this year. That's a hefty price tag, but McCaffrey's track record suggests that he's absolutely worth it. Last year, the star running back tallied 1,202 rushing yards, 102 catches, 924 receiving yards, and 17 total touchdowns, which allowed him to rank as the clear-cut overall RB1 in fantasy football. He has now been the RB1 in two of his last three seasons, as well as a top-two fantasy running back in three of his last four. There has been plenty of dialogue this draft season about McCaffrey's injury risk impacting his draft stock, but that seems a bit excessive. First of all, McCaffrey has only been truly plagued by injuries in one of his last four seasons (2024). He missed zero games in 2022, one game in 2023, and zero games in 2025. Additionally, passing on a player just because they might get injured is bold. In the NFL, nobody is safe from injuries, so passing on McCaffrey certainly doesn't guarantee that the other player you choose to draft will stay healthy. All in all, the 30-year-old running back continues to prove that he's a star in this league with league-winning upside in fantasy football. He should be drafted as such in the early or middle portion of the first round in 2026 drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black Appears to Have Firm Hold on 49ers' No. 2 Job
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black appears to have a firm grip on the No. 2 job behind Christian McCaffrey, according to Matt Barrows. Black carried four times for 28 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against Las Vegas, including a 14-yard run, and finished the preseason with 61 yards on 12 carries. The rookie missed part of camp with an adductor injury but returned Aug. 18, five days before Jordan James came back from a rib injury. That extra time seems to have mattered. Barrows pointed to Black's decisiveness, vision and receiving ability as reasons he has separated himself. The 90th overall pick rushed for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns at Indiana last season and caught 55 passes across his college career. James did have 55 scrimmage yards on nine touches Thursday, so the competition is not completely dead. Still, Black looks like the favorite to open the season as McCaffrey's primary backup.
Source: Matt Barrows
Source: Matt Barrows
Kaelon Black Gets Start In 49ers' Preseason Finale
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black got the start in the 49ers' preseason finale on Thursday night. The rookie out of Indiana had San Francisco's first three series to himself before ceding the backfield to Jordan James. Black finished the game with four carries for 28 rushing yards. Black's only target missed him by a wide margin when he turned in the opposite direction of the pass from Mac Jones. Any fantasy value Black might have would come from being Christian McCaffrey's (undisclosed) handcuff. That would be a valuable role given McCaffrey's injury history, but the depth chart past him is not yet defined. Black would have to beat out not only James but also Isaac Guerendo (pectoral), Khalil Herbert, and Sincere McCormick. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for developments ahead of the 49ers' season opener on September 10.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jordan James Gets Eight Carries In First And Only Preseason Action
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James followed Kaelon Black in the 49ers' 18-12 win in the last game of the preseason, but saw twice as many carries as the rookie. James finished with eight rush attempts (tying Khalil Herbert for the team lead) for 35 yards and caught one of his two targets for 20 receiving yards. It was the first appearance of the preseason for James, who missed the 49ers' previous two games while on the mend from a rib fracture suffered on the second day of training camp. The second year back out of Oregon is now in the mix, along with Black, Herbert, and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) to back up Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed). With San Francisco's depth chart up in the air, fantasy managers should be on the lookout for announcements. Whoever wins out as the 49ers' RB2 will be one of the more valuable handcuffs in fantasy football.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
49ers Owner Arrested on Disorderly Conduct and Possessing Criminal Tools
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was arrested over the weekend and found guilty of two misdemeanor charges, according to WKBN 27 News. York pleaded no contest on Monday morning to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools. He was already sentenced to two days in jail and $1,150 in fines. After his arrest, York will presumably be subject to NFL discipline under the personal-conduct policy. Columbiana County Municipal Court records show that York was initially taken into custody on a charge of engaging in prostitution, but that charge was later dropped.
Source: WKBN 27 News - Josh Frketic, Kristen Hephner, and Laurel Stone
Source: WKBN 27 News - Josh Frketic, Kristen Hephner, and Laurel Stone
Zamir White Traded to New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints acquired running back Zamir White from the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night in exchange for linebacker Deion Jones. White was signed by the 49ers less than two weeks ago after injuries to running backs Christian McCaffrey (rest), Jordan James (ribs), and Kaelon Black (groin). With all three backs practicing on Sunday, White was sent to New Orleans, which has its own injury issues. Veteran running back Alvin Kamara (knee) is expected to miss some time, and Devin Neal (hamstring) was injured during the 49ers' Saturday preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. While this could be another camp body for the Saints, it doesn't bode well for Neal, who has dealt with multiple injuries throughout training camp.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Christian McCaffrey's Absence Part of the Plan
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) said his absence in training camp was always part of the plan to have him ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "Obviously when you don't practice, the way the media works now it's a firestorm," McCaffrey said. "But this was kind of part of the plan from the jump was to ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in, kind of come back down and then ramp back up so we're fresh for the duration... And again, I feel great. I feel fresh, and it's good to be back out there." The Niners have been holding out their star RB late with undisclosed tightness, but he returned to practice on Sunday and even jumped into team drills. San Francisco is taking every precaution to keep the oft-injured four-time Pro Bowler as fresh as possible going into Week 1 after he had 1,202 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on a career-high 311 carries in 2025 in 17 regular-season games, adding 102 catches for 924 yards and another seven scores. CMC remains one of the most talented dual-threat backs in the league, but his lengthy injury history makes him high-risk, high-reward as RotoBaller's No. 3 overall RB.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Jordan James' Fantasy Value Rising Following Return from Injury
A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James played in just three games and did not earn a single carry as a rookie. The 22-year-old also suffered a setback early in training camp this season when he suffered multiple fractured ribs while absorbing a hit from star 49ers linebacker Fred Warner. However, James was able to return to the practice field on Saturday, putting him back in the mix for a role in the San Francisco backfield. As long as superstar 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey remains healthy, James is unlikely to see fantasy-relevant playing time. Still, McCaffrey is entering his age-30 season and recorded an NFL-high 413 touches in 2025. If James can beat out rookie Kaelon Black and veteran Zamir White for the 49ers RB2 role, he would immediately be one of the more valuable handcuff running back options for fantasy managers. Now that James is back at practice, his stock is on the rise.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian McCaffrey Back on Practice Field
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was back in uniform and on the practice field Sunday, according to Nick Wagoner. McCaffrey had not practiced since Aug. 8 while the 49ers managed what the team called tightness. Kyle Shanahan said earlier this week that the absence was health-related and that McCaffrey probably would have practiced if San Francisco were preparing for a regular-season game. That made the extended layoff sound precautionary, and Sunday's return fits that read. McCaffrey handled a massive workload last season, finishing with 311 carries for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 102 catches for 924 yards and seven more scores. His 413 touches led the NFL. Wagoner noted that McCaffrey's level of participation Sunday was not immediately clear, so this is not the same as saying he's back to a full workload. Still, getting him onto the field again is an encouraging step with Week 1 approaching.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Jordan James Returns to 49ers Practice on Saturday
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James (ribs) was back on the practice field on Saturday, per David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. James suffered fractured ribs early in training camp, but it appears he is getting closer to full health and should be ready to go for the start of the regular season. A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon, James appeared in just three games and did not record a carry during his rookie season. Entering 2026, superstar 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey remains firmly atop the team's depth chart at the position. However, James looks to be competing with 2026 third-rounder Kaelon Black and veteran Zamir White for the RB2 role in San Francisco. If James can establish himself as the primary backup to McCaffrey, he would immediately become one of the more valuable handcuff running back options for fantasy managers.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Christian McCaffrey Misses Practice on Saturday
The Athletic's Vic Tafur reports San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) did not participate in Saturday's practice. The star running back has been held out of practices and preseason action due to undisclosed "tightness." However, head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier in the week that if it were the regular season, McCaffrey would be practicing and playing. With his injury history, the team has understandably opted to be cautious. In the two seasons following a 330-plus-touch season, he has played a combined seven games (three games in 2020 and four games in 2024). McCaffrey saw over 400 touches last season that produced 2,126 total scrimmage yards and 17 total touchdowns. The 30-year-old will be a high-risk, high-reward fantasy option for managers heading into drafts in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur
Christian McCaffrey Sits Out Second Preseason Contest
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) sat out of the team's second preseason game on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. McCaffrey was on the field for pre-game warmups, but as expected, he did not play in the contest as the team continues to be cautious with the oft-injured star RB as he works his way through undisclosed "tightness." Head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier in the week that if it were the regular season, McCaffrey would be practicing and playing. Given CMC's lengthy injury history and the fact that the rest of the backfield has been banged up in training camp, it makes total sense for the Niners to put McCaffrey in bubble wrap and save him for the Week 1 regular-season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. He doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing the first game of the regular season. McCaffrey has proven he has league-winning upside, but his injury history makes him a high-risk/high-reward top-end RB1 in fantasy. RotoBaller has CMC ranked behind only Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson at the RB position.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
