Injuries are a part of the NFL training camp experience, and the San Francisco 49ers know that the hard way. Names like Brandon Aiyuk, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Jauan Jennings are just some of the names who are banged up this summer, and now running back Isaac Guerendo is set to miss the next few weeks with a shoulder injury, according to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday.
With Guerendo projected to be Christian McCaffrey's primary backup, 49ers fans have been waiting to see if any of the other RBs would step up in the former's absence. As it turns out, it didn't take long for one rookie runner to seize the opportunity.
Jordan James (knee) back in 11-on-11s today. Looks explosive. Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams also full go fresh off rest day.
— Noah Furtado (@_noahfurtado) August 5, 2025
Rookie 49ers RB Jordan James Steps Up During Isaac Guerendo's Absence
According to NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco, rookie running back Jordan James had a strong showing during Tuesday's practice. The 2025 fifth-round selection was reportedly "getting a lot of run in team drills," proving that the 49ers are already thinking highly of the first-year RB before the first preseason game is even here.
The San Francisco Chronicle's Noah Furtado even went as far as saying that James looked "explosive" during 11-on-11 drills. That's quite the encouraging update, considering how the former Oregon Duck just missed some practice time last week with a knee-related ailment.
James stepping up is exactly what the 49ers needed given Guerendo's injury history.
The 2024 fourth-rounder missed eight of Michigan's games in 2021 due to an ankle injury, and often had to fight through lower-body ailments towards the end of last season. The fact that he's already been knocked out by a shoulder injury suggests that the theme of missing time will continue into next season.
In the meantime, James will operate as San Francisco's de facto RB2 until Guerendo returns. The 21-year-old RB oozes potential following a career year at Oregon in 2024 that saw him tally 233 carries for 1,267 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns while also adding 209 receiving yards on 26 catches, and that's without mentioning how he paced the Pac-12 with 7.1 yards per carry in 2023.
McCaffrey is still one of the NFL's best runners when healthy, but that doesn't mean the 49ers don't need reliable depth beyond him. James successfully stepping up would give San Francisco an explosive option to fill in for McCaffrey when the latter needs a breather, especially if the likes of Ameer Abdullah, Patrick Taylor Jr., and Corey Kiner prove they aren't up to the task.
The NFL preseason is a time when players can make or break their careers, and James isn't an exception. Look for him to potentially prove his value to the team when the 49ers open their preseason slate at Levi's Stadium against the Denver Broncos on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.