The 49ers bring back a familiar face

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the San Francisco 49ers signed running back Matt Breida. Breida is an original Kyle Shanahan back who played with the Niners from 2017 through 2019. The eight-year veteran has rushed for over 1,900 yards in his career.

Breida should be able to slide into the rotation, as he’s familiar with the playbook and what the 49ers want in their running backs.

Rookie Issac Guerendo remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. The 49ers do not want to put an unnecessary workload on Christian McCaffrey in August. Elijah Mitchell was not present during Sunday’s session, so this signing suggests that he had some kind of injury or setback, and the 49ers need another back.

If that’s the case, Jordan Mason would assume the primary RB2 duties behind McCaffrey. After that trio, it’s been undrafted free agent Cody Schrader, who has been running exclusively with the third team.

Patrick Taylor Jr. has also been in rotation with the backups, although he hasn’t really stood out or done enough to make you think he’d warrant a roster spot one week into training camp.

We should have an update about Mitchell’s potential injury after Tuesday’s practice, as Kyle Shanahan will speak.