RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesSANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Kaelon Black #26 of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility on July 27, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers selected a running back in the third round that came with plenty of criticism. Kaelon Black didn’t start at Indiana. Most draft pundits had Black being selected later on in Day 3, if at all.
The 49ers headed into training camp hoping Black could be a part of a three-back stable alongside Christian McCaffrey and Jordan James. We’ll see more of Black during camp and throughout the preseason after James suffered fractured ribs during Monday’s practice.
McCaffrey shared what he’s seen from Black early on in camp:
“He’s stacked, man. You can definintely see it. He’s…you can tell he’s played at a high level of football. He’s played mature football. He’s again, he’s made..I can’t say enough good. He’s exactly what you would want a rookie to come in and be like. And again, I think our whole running back room is great, and he complements it so well in the way he runs. I think when you look at him, his rookie year, and then you go look at me, my rookie year, they look very different in age.”
Black was born in 2001. Another running back on the roster, Sincere McCormick, was born in 2000. McCormick has been in the NFL since 2022.
With James and Isaac Guerendo out, Black should get plenty of reps to show off his skill set. The only other running back on the roster outside of McCaffrey and McCormick is Patrick Taylor Jr., who might sneak onto the roster if James is out for an extended period.
The 49ers should throw the kitchen sink at Black to see what he can and can’t handle in August. They’re going to need him early in the season to keep McCaffrey fresh for the duration of the season.
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