The San Francisco 49ers added experienced depth to a depleted running back room on Thursday, signing Khalil Herbert to a one-year contract and placing Patrick Taylor Jr. on injured reserve.
The move comes just days after the team released the 28-year-old, highlighting the ongoing injury issues at the position during training camp.
Herbert, a 5-foot-9, 212-pound back from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was originally selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round (217th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Across five NFL seasons with the Bears (2021-24), Cincinnati Bengals (2024), and New York Jets (2025), he has appeared in 63 games with 13 starts. He has rushed 416 times for 1,957 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 54 receptions for 316 yards and two scores. That production totals 2,273 yards from scrimmage over his career.
His most productive year came in 2022 with Chicago, when he averaged 5.7 yards per carry on 129 attempts for 731 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Injuries and a crowded backfield have limited his opportunities since, including a modest 2025 stint with the Jets in which he recorded 16 carries for 52 yards in seven games.
The 49ers first signed him on August 2 amid injuries to several backs, including Jordan James (fractured ribs). He appeared in one preseason game before his release on August 17.
At Kansas (2016-19) and Virginia Tech (2020), Herbert was a workhorse, rushing for 2,917 yards and 22 touchdowns on 474 carries while adding 33 receptions. His combination of vision, burst, and receiving ability made him a versatile change-of-pace option.
For the 49ers, Herbert offers a known quantity as they manage Christian McCaffrey’s workload and wait on recoveries for James, Kaelon Black, and Isaac Guerendo.
Kyle Shanahan’s offense has long valued complementary backs who can handle between-the-tackles work and contribute in the passing game.
Herbert’s prior familiarity with the scheme from his brief earlier stint this summer should help him contribute immediately, including in Thursday night’s preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
While he is unlikely to unseat McCaffrey or the team’s top young options for a large role, Herbert provides reliable insurance and special-teams value.
His career 4.7 yards-per-carry average demonstrate he can produce when given consistent opportunities. The 49ers will evaluate him over the remaining preseason as they finalize the 53-man roster.
