The injury-depleted San Francisco 49ers are still holding onto their slim chances of making the playoffs. Sitting in last place in the NFC West at 5-7 and two games behind the Seattle Seahawks for first place in the NFC West division standings, the 49ers have an 8% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics. For them to make a stretch run, the offense must step up with all of the injuries, especially to the running back position, since their top two rushers are out.
The San Francisco 49ers talented running back duo will more than likely be out for the rest of the season
49ers’ leading rusher, Jordan Mason, suffered a high ankle sprain against the Buffalo Bills. The high ankle sprain landed him on injured reserve. Mason will miss at least the next four games and potentially Week 18 if they have already been eliminated from playoff contention before their season finale.
Christian McCaffrey’s return to the football field after missing the first eight games with bilateral Achilles tendonitis was short-lived. After returning to the starting lineup in Week 10 and starting the next four games, McCaffrey suffered a significant PCL injury that landed him on injured reserve. Unless they make the playoffs, the former Offensive Player of the Year will miss the rest of the regular season, hence his six-week recovery time.
Also Read: San Francisco 49ers: Elite Playmaker Receives Brutal Injury Diagnosis
The San Francisco 49ers must rely on a Day 3 draft choice
The 49ers must rely on fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo to take over as the starting running back and must step up and carry the workload with their top 2 backs sidelined indefinitely. Guerendo, who played six seasons of college football for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2018 to 2022 and the Louisville Cardinals in 2023, rushed for 1,392 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in 41 career games. The front office selected him 129th overall, as many scouts considered him a steal because of his blazing speed, running an impressive 4.33 40-yard dash, the fastest by a running back in the 2024 Scouting Combine, and athleticism, his 9.89 RAS Score.
Guerendo has been active for their first 12 games but hasn’t carved out a consistent role, representing only 14.34% of offensive snaps, due to Jordan Mason getting the bulk of the workload from Weeks 1-8 and Christian McCaffrey for Weeks 10-12. The rookie has rushed for 246 yards on 42 carries and two touchdowns, with nine first downs and 5.9 yards per attempt. He has shown flashes of what he can do in the NFL, especially against the Seahawks, rushing for 99 yards on ten carries, with a long of 76, and the Cowboys, rushing for 85 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown.
Why the speedster has a golden opportunity to prove himself for the rest of 2024
Isaac Guerendo has a golden opportunity to prove himself for the rest of the season because he can prove his worth as a running back, possibly have a crucial role on the offense, and be part of their running back rotation for next season (Note: Jordan Mason is a restricted free agent and the front office might not bring him back if another team offers him a contract exceeding their expectations). If Guerendo performs well down the stretch, the 49ers might have no choice but to play him more during the 2025 season and keep Christian McCaffrey fresh, reducing his workload, so they don’t overwork him. Given McCaffrey’s age, as he turns 29 in June, the short shelf life of running backs, and his recent injury history, the 49ers need to reduce his workload because they cannot afford another lost season due to injury.
Lastly, Guerendo has an opportunity to prove that he’s a starting running back in the National Football League. Depending on how things work out with McCaffrey in the next three years, the rookie could take over as the 49ers starting running back of the future. It’s still early, but that’s something to keep an eye out for.
How will the San Francisco 49ers’ fourth-round pick handle the last five games of the 2024 regular season?
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