Kyle Shanahan optimistic about breakout RB's return in Week 17 vs. Lions

The injury updates from San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday weren’t all bad.

Shanahan in a conference call the day after his team was eliminated from the postseason told reporters rookie running back Isaac Guerendo is trending toward a return in Week 17 after missing Week 16 because of a hamstring injury.

That Guerendo was able to avoid a major injury is a good sign for him long-term. It also gives the 49ers’ run game a chance to get going against the Detroit Lions when they visit Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 30 for Monday Night Football.

Guerendo battled through a foot injury to play in the 49ers’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but he emerged from that game with a hamstring issue that forced him out of Sunday’s game in Miami.

Without Guerendo the 49ers run game struggled. Quarterback Brock Purdy was the team’s leading rusher with 26 yards on four carries. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel added 25 yards on five attempts. Starting RB Patrick Taylor contributed 24 yards on eight carries.

Even though Monday’s game won’t affect the 49ers’ chances to extend their season, the reps will be good for Guerendo who has looked promising in his extended time this year. In four games with double-digit rushing attempts he’s averaged 5.8 yards per carry.

With injuries piling up in the backfield this year, depth at running back needs to be a priority for San Francisco in the offseason. Guerendo’s continued emergence is a positive sign that he’ll be able to contribute next year in either a limited or extended role. He’ll need to finish out the year strong though to give himself a chance to be RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey going into 2025.