Even with Christian McCaffrey set to take the lion’s share of carries, the San Francisco 49ers’ running back depth is looking rock-solid after Kaelon Black and Jordan James lit up the preseason finale. While head coach Kyle Shanahan opted to evaluate the deeper roster spots, this duo delivered some seriously impressive runs, giving the team plenty of confidence in a position that’s seen its fair share of turnover in recent years.
The Running Back Room Is Set
Honestly, the 49ers were already feeling pretty good about their running back situation, but Black and James just hammered that home. They combined for a total of 63 yards on 12 attempts against the Raiders, and sure, those numbers don’t exactly jump off the box score, but watching them on the field? Totally different story. Both guys just looked the part, making impressive plays and showing exactly why they’re already considered locks for the initial 53-man roster.
The final preseason game, played out against the Las Vegas Raiders in an 18-12 win that saw Eddy Pineiro outduel Matt Gay in a kicking battle, was all about seeing what these deeper roster spots had. And when it came to the backfield, Black and James definitely made their case loud and clear.
Black’s Speed and James’ Explosion Put On A Show
Kaelon Black, looking to build on an impressive debut the week before, got the first crack at it. He didn’t get a ton of touches, just four carries, but man, did he make them count. Black averaged seven yards per attempt, finishing his day with 28 rushing yards. A huge chunk of that came on one explosive play: after a Fernando Mendoza interception had the 49ers deep in Las Vegas territory, Black took the opening carry around the right edge. He flashed an incredible speed boost to get the corner and turn upfield for a gain of 14 yards. Shanahan clearly liked what he saw, as that was Black’s final touch of the night.
Then Jordan James stepped in and got his chances immediately. On his very first drive, they fed him the ball three straight plays. He picked up nine yards on the first two, before a tough third down cost a yard and forced a punt. But James wasn’t done! He turned it up from there, snagging a quick 20-yard reception that pushed the 49ers into plus territory. A few plays later, James delivered his own highlight reel moment, absolutely exploding through the line for a gain of 17 yards, which set up another Eddy Pineiro field goal. These guys aren’t just making the roster, they’re showing they belong.
The 49ers are now closing the book on the preseason, looking forward to their trip to Melbourne for the start of the regular season. This backfield depth, solidified by Black and James, is absolutely something to be hyped about.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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