CAPTAIN SANTA CLARA: The San Francisco 49ers signed former running back Matt Breida to a one-year contract prior to practice on Tuesday for a very important purpose.
Christian McCaffrey is one of the three tailbacks the squad is currently missing from action. Due to a calf issue, the NFL’s current offensive player of the year will be out for around two weeks. McCaffrey’s chances of playing in the preseason, which begins on Saturday against the Tennessee Titans and involves a trip to Southern California the following week to scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints, were expressed by Kyle Shanahan.
“He did it a couple of days ago,” Shanahan said. “It’s all right. He didn’t pull it or anything. But you guys probably won’t see him in the preseason.”
In addition, Elijah Mitchell, the 49ers’ backup tailback who also has a hamstring strain and will be sidelined for approximately a week, and rookie tailback Isaac Guerendo did not practice on Tuesday. Right at the beginning of practice, both were spotted working out on a separate field. Kyle Juszczyk, the fullback, was also given the day off.
After that, the club was down to four healthy runners: Breida, who led San Francisco in rushes in 2018, Jordan Mason, Patrick Taylor Jr., and Cody Schrader.
“We were able to get a really good player who’s had a hell of a career who’s been here before, too,” Shanahan said. “We felt pretty fortunate.”
First look at new(ish) RB Matt Breida, no. 28. pic.twitter.com/iYGs3p9wrp
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 6, 2024
To fit Breida on the roster, the 49ers put receiver Malik Turner on injured reserve.
On Tuesday, rest days were also granted to Leonard Floyd, Nick Bosa, and Javon Hargrave. Practice was also missed by tight end Logan Thomas, guard Spencer Burford (hand), defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, cornerback Isaac Yiadom (ankle), punter Mitch Wishnowsky (knee irritation), and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. After aggravating a shoulder injury, rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was forced to leave the practice.
Renardo Green, a second-round pick who played both nickel and outside cornerback for the first team, had a great day as a result of Yiadom’s injury.
(Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
