The San Francisco 49ers are falling behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. Losers of three consecutive contests, it was Seattle’s thrilling Week 11 defeat that sent Kyle Shanahan’s squad on their current winless streak. The 49ers are a last-place 5-7, and suffered a massive blow in Sunday’s embarrassing defeat to the Buffalo Bills.
Superstar running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a potentially season-ending PCL injury. Jordan Mason, who’d done an admirable job filling in for McCaffrey earlier this season, also went down with a high ankle sprain that’s already landed him on IR, ruling him out for a minimum of four contests. As a result, the 49ers will be handing the keys to their backfield to rookie running back Isaac Guerendo. They also recently claimed Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the New York Jets.
The #49ers claimed RB Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the #Jets.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 3, 2024
The 49ers drafted Guerendo in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Louisville standout has rushed for 246 yards and two touchdowns via 42 carries this campaign. He’s averaging an explosive 5.9 yards per carry. Guerendo torched the Seahawks 99 yards earlier this year, including a 76-yard gain late in the fourth quarter, the second-longest run in the league this season.
The Jets selected Abanikanda in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he never met expectations. Breece Hall is the Jets’ go-to back, and rookie Braelon Allen quickly moved into the change-of-pace role. This may represent Abanikanda’s last chance to establish himself as an NFL-caliber player.
The 49ers won’t be catching the Seahawks in the NFC West this season.
