Black (groin) is active for Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Dolphins, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
The rookie running back was reported to be trending up for Sunday's contest earlier in the day, and his availability has now been made official. Black will therefore once again serve as the primary backup to Christian McCaffrey, a role that afforded the former 15 touches (14 carries, one reception) across 28 snaps in a Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Black played well in his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Rams in Australia with 14 carries for 65 yards and one catch for 5 yards on one target. He shared playing time with Christian McCaffrey, which was a surprise, but Black held his own against a tough Rams defense. This week, the 49ers should be able to dominate the Dolphins, who just allowed 30 carries for 143 yards against Ashton Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr. in Week 1. I would use Black as a flex option in deeper leagues.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: On track to play Sunday
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Black (groin) is on track to play Sunday against the Dolphins, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Black popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited participant due to a groin injury, and he was given a questionable designation after getting in another limited session Friday. While there is reason to believe he will take the field Sunday, his availability will not be confirmed until the 49ers release their inactives 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Questionable for Sunday
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Black (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Black made a surprise appearance on Thursday's practice report as limited due to a groin issue, and he wasn't able to do enough Friday to enter the weekend without a designation for Week 2 action. His status may not be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Black is inhibited or sidelined, Jordan James would be the primary reserve RB behind starter Christian McCaffrey.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Added to injury report
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Black was limited at Thursday's practice due to a groin injury, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Black did not show up on Wednesday's injury report, but he was unable to get a full session in a day later. The extent of his injury is uncertain, but his status will be updated again Friday when the 49ers release their final report before Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Stands out in regular-season debut
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Black rushed 14 times for 65 yards and brought in his only target for five yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
The rookie third-round pick opened the season as Christian McCaffrey's primary backup, but he actually ended up outpacing his star backfield mate by four carries as the 49ers progressively took control in the second half. Black earned the touches with multiple productive runs that showed off his explosiveness, and his ability to help keep McCaffrey fresh throughout the game should only help lead to more opportunities for the first-year back going forward. Black garnered the No. 2 job thanks to an impressive two-game preseason where he performed similarly to Week 1, lending credence to the notion the Indiana product could maintain his fantasy relevance, particularly in deeper formats, as his first NFL season unfolds.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Averages 7.0 yards per carry
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Black rushed four times for 28 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the 49ers' 18-12 preseason win over the Raiders on Thursday.
Black didn't log a touch on the 49ers' opening three-and-out possession, but he gained 11 yards on back-to-back carries to start San Francisco's second drive. The rookie third-round pick then recorded his game-high 14 yard run on the last play of the first quarter, rounding out his relatively brief night in encouraging fashion. Black put together a solid two-game preseason during which he rushed 12 times for 61 yards, but his primary competition for the No. 2 running back role, Jordan James, had a productive night himself Thursday with 55 yards from scrimmage on nine touches. Consequently, it's possible the two backs share complementary work behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) to open the regular season.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Logs eight carries in preseason win
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Black rushed eight times for 33 yards and wasn't targeted in the 49ers' 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers on Thursday night.
The rookie third-round pick operated as the starting running back with Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) inactive, and Black immediately recorded a five-yard gain on the 49ers' first play from scrimmage. The Indiana product also had eight- and nine-yard runs on San Francisco' second possession as he continued to make a strong case for the No. 2 job to open the regular season. Black saw backfield mate Sincere McCormick put together an impressive 6-53-1 line on the ground Thursday as well, but the former likely has the inside track to serve as McCaffrey's primary backup in a backfield where Jordan James (ribs) and Isaac Guerendo (PUP-pectoral) are also vying for roles.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Shines in return to practice
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Black (thigh) looked like himself at Tuesday's practice, Grant Cohn of SI.com reports.
Black has been sidelined since Aug. 3 due to an adductor injury, but his return to the practice field Tuesday was a welcome sight for an RB room that currently is without Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed), Jordan James (ribs) and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral, active/PUP). Black, a rookie third-round pick, now is the top healthiest player at the position ahead of Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick and Zamir White on the 49ers roster.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Returns to practice
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Black (thigh) is back in uniform for Tuesday's practice session, Matt Barrows of The Athletic
This is significant for the rookie, as Black had been sidelined since the first week of camp due to an adductor injury. Black is jockeying for position in the 49ers' backfield behind Christian McCaffrey and has to make up for lost time. Any ability to show some flash over the remainder of the preseason would help Black's case for playing time versus Jordan James (ribs) and Patrick Taylor.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Not participating in Thursday's contest
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Black (thigh) will not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Black is competing for one of the relief running back roles behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed), so the sooner the 2026 third-rounder gets back on the field, the better. With primary competition Jordan James (ribs) also out for Thursday's game, Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert and Zamir White will get a chance to prove they should be in the conversation for spots on the 53-man roster.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Opportunity knocks
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Black has an opportunity to handle the bulk of No. 2 running back role behind Christian McCaffrey early in training camp after Jordan James suffered a fractured rib on Tuesday, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
Black will look to make the most of his immediate opportunities at camp, with Vic Tafur of The Athletic noting that the rookie third-rounder had already gotten off to a strong start. While James should still be ready in advance of Week 1, his grasp on the No. 2 backfield role could lessen if Black is able to continue stringing together momentum. Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) also began training camp on the active/PUP list, leaving Patrick Taylor and Sincere McCormick as Black's main current competition for reps. Given these developments, Black's average fantasy draft position will figure to rise in advance of the preseason.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: In RB2 mix behind CMC
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Black is set to compete with recent draft picks Jordan James and Isaac Guerendo for backup touches behind Christian McCaffrey, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.
Black was viewed by many as a reach in the third round, though 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan defended the pick by saying the team viewed Black as the second-best running back in the 2026 Draft class behind third overall pick Jeremiyah Love. San Francisco hasn't had much success drafting running backs in recent years and has yet to get much production out of James (a 2025 fifth-round pick) or Guerendo (a 2024 fourth-round pick). McCaffrey remains the team's undisputed lead back while healthy.
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49ers' Kaelon Black: Picked by 49ers
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The 49ers selected Black in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 90th overall.
This was highly unexpected. There really is a lot to like about Black following his standout showing at Indiana, but he caught only 55 receptions in six collegiate seasons and turns 25 in October. Black does look good as a pure runner, boasting a hot motor and decent speed (4.46-second pro day 40) at 5-foot-9, 211 pounds, but second-year man Jordan James remains a strong candidate to serve as the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey for the foreseeable future.
