The 49ers just pulled a classic rival move, re-signing running back Khalil Herbert just days after they had initially cut him. Talk about a rollercoaster for their backfield, right? This rapid turnaround for Herbert, coupled with another significant roster move, tells you everything you need to know about what’s going on down south.
Can you believe it? Herbert, who is 28 years old and first entered the NFL as a 2021 sixth-round pick for the Bears, was literally only with the Niners for two weeks before they gave him the axe on Monday. Now he’s back on the roster. It’s one thing to get cut, it’s another to get re-signed within the same week. You have to wonder what kind of desperate scramble is happening in the Bay Area right now for them to make such a sudden U-turn. His stat line from last week’s preseason game was 6 carries for 18 yards and 2 catches for 35 yards, which isn’t exactly setting the world on fire. But in the current climate, it was enough to get him another shot. Herbert’s been a bit of a journeyman, too, having spent time with the Bengals, Colts, and even had a stint with our own Seahawks, before a stop with the Jets. He’s certainly seen his share of locker rooms, but this quick return to the 49ers after being shown the door is a head-scratcher.
The reason for this sudden change of heart on Herbert? The 49ers placed running back Patrick Taylor on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury in a corresponding move. Oof. That’s a brutal blow for Taylor, who is now looking at finishing out the entire season on IR. Unless the Niners manage to work out some kind of injury settlement with him, his 2026 campaign is pretty much over before it even truly began. An “undisclosed injury” always makes you wonder about the severity and the timeline, and pushing him straight to IR suggests it’s no minor issue. This move creates a huge void in their running back depth, making Herbert’s quick return less of a surprise and more of a necessity. You have to wonder what’s going on in their training rooms to have key players hitting IR this early in the regular season.
So, what’s next for our NFC West rivals’ running back corps? With Taylor out for the foreseeable future and Herbert doing a quick U-turn back onto the roster, their backfield situation is definitely something to keep an eye on as the season progresses. It’s August, folks, and the 49ers are already dealing with this kind of roster chaos and injury setbacks. You love to see it, especially when it’s a divisional foe struggling to keep their running game intact. Go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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