49ers re-sign Khalil Herbert after Patrick Taylor hits IR
The San Francisco 49ers have signed running back Khalil Herbert to a one-year deal and placed Patrick Taylor Jr. on season-ending injured reserve. Herbert, released only days earlier, returns to shore up a depleted backfield ahead of Thursday's preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Key Takeaways
- The 49ers signed Khalil Herbert to a one-year deal on Aug. 20, 2026.
- Patrick Taylor Jr. landed on injured reserve with no return designation, ending his season.
- Herbert was released Aug. 17 after first signing with San Francisco on Aug. 2.
- He had six carries for 18 yards and two receptions for 35 yards in the preseason opener.
- Christian McCaffrey and Jordan James were still sidelined entering the Chargers matchup.
What happened with Khalil Herbert and Patrick Taylor Jr.?
On Aug. 20, the San Francisco 49ers announced they had signed Khalil Herbert to a one-year contract. To open a roster spot, the club placed Patrick Taylor Jr. on the injured reserve list.
Niners Wire reported the IR move as season-ending, with no return designation. The nature and timing of Taylor's injury were not disclosed. He had been active in the team's first preseason game and was expected to be available again Thursday.
Taylor, who re-signed with San Francisco on March 24, 2026, had been viewed as a roster contender. Yahoo Sports noted it is his second straight year dealing with a long-term injury after a shoulder issue last season.
Why did the 49ers bring Khalil Herbert back so quickly?
Herbert first signed with the 49ers on Aug. 2 and was released on Aug. 17. The club moved fast to bring him back after Taylor's IR placement, giving the backfield another veteran option for preseason Week 2.
In the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, Herbert totaled six carries for 18 yards and two receptions for 35 yards. With McCaffrey and Jordan James still on the sidelines, Niners Wire expected Herbert to see another heavy workload against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
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How does this move affect San Francisco's running back depth?
The 49ers' backfield has been thin this summer. Yahoo Sports reported Jordan James sustained fractured ribs early in camp, while Isaac Guerendo is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle and remains a Physically Unable to Perform candidate. If Guerendo is activated, he would compete with Herbert and Sincere McCormick for a final running back spot.
Herbert, a 28-year-old Fort Lauderdale native, was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round (217th overall) in 2021. Across stops with the Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, and New York Jets, he has appeared in 63 games with 13 starts, totaling 416 carries for 1,957 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, plus 54 catches for 316 yards and two scores. In 2025 with the Jets, he had 16 carries for 52 yards and one reception for four yards in seven games.
For now, the headline is straightforward: Taylor's season is over, and Khalil Herbert is back on a one-year deal as San Francisco tries to stabilize its running game before the regular season.