The San Francisco 49ers announced that they hosted three running backs for a workout on Thursday: Raheem Blackshear, Khalil Herbert, and Owen Wright.
The news comes after second-year back Jordan James suffered a rib injury earlier this week during Monday’s practice, which will cause him to miss some time. James was projected as the team’s No. 2 running back before the injury, and the opportunity will allow for rookie Kaelon Black and veterans Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sincere McCormick to get more opportunities in camp.
But with the injury, San Francisco is also looking for more depth, which is where Thursday’s workout comes in.
Of the three running backs brought in, Khalil Herbert is easily the most accomplished in the NFL, having accumulated nearly 2,000 rushing yards over five NFL seasons.
Herbert was a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he quickly received opportunities as a rookie. He played in all 17 games in 2021, starting two, while rushing for 433 yards and two touchdowns in 103 carries.
He followed that up with the two best years of his career. In 2022, Herbert rushed for 731 yards and four touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry in 13 games, while starting one. Then, in 2023, the running back went for 611 yards and two touchdowns in 132 carries.
Herbert’s role dwindled after that as he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024 during the year, getting only 36 carries during the year. Then, last season, he played seven games for the New York Jets, rushing for 52 total yards.
Blackshear went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft and was signed by the Carolina Panthers during the 2022 season. He spent three years with the team, rushing for 203 yards and three touchdowns. He’s since spent time on several practice squads, including with the Jets last year.
Wright was undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, and has bounced around several practice squads throughout his three-year career. His lone NFL action came last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played in three games.
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