Patrick

Taylor Jr.

Taylor was released last week with Christian McCaffrey returning in Week 10. He now returns to the 49ers, having registered seven carries for 25 yards and one catch for 12 yards in eight games for the team this season. In a corresponding move, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn was released from the practice squad.

McCaffrey was upgraded to a full practice participant on Friday. As long as he remains setback-free through the weekend, McCaffrey should make his 2024 debut. Fantasy managers should start him even without workload-related news thanks to his excellent per-play efficiency. As a positive nod toward McCaffrey’s Week 10 availability, the 49ers released RB Patrick Taylor Jr..

Taylor was waived by the Packers at the end of training camp last year and rejoined the team’s practice squad. He was consistently called up to their gameday roster during the first month and signed to the team’s active roster in October, only to be waived shortly after. Following a brief stay in New England, the Packers brought him back late in the year. Though most of his career reps came on special teams before 2023, Taylor did log 226 offensive snaps for the Packers because of various injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. He totaled 32 carries for 141 yards and even caught 11 passes. If Taylor makes the 49ers’ roster this year, he will be a deep reserve option at running back and a special teams contributor.

Dillon is dealing with a broken thumb. He was attempting to play through the issue, but the team will sit him for at least a week. Aaron Jones is questionable with a knee issue. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur previously expressed optimism that Jones would be able to play this week, though we won’t know for sure until Green Bay releases their inactives before kickoff. Patrick Taylor would see the bulk of the work if neither back can suit up.

With Aaron Jones (hamstring) ruled out, the Packers have opted to sign Taylor to the 53-man roster after elevating him to the active roster in Weeks 2 and 3. Taylor served as the Packers’ RB2 behind AJ Dillon during Jones’ absence earlier this season, totaling 30 yards from scrimmage on seven touches over that span.

Pelissero reported earlier that it was “unlikely” Jones would play. Now, the veteran running back has officially been ruled out, per Pelissero, putting A.J. Dillon in line to start on Monday night. Dillon underwhelmed in two weeks without Jones, totaling 96 yards from scrimmage on 27 touches in Weeks 2 and 3 while failing to find the end zone. Dillon will have some volume-based RB2 upside against the Raiders could be spelled for Patrick Taylor in the passing game.

Taylor led the Packers’ backfield in receiving, and was the preferred goal line back in the fourth quarter when Jordan Love rushed into the end zone for a one-yard score. Taylor has been elevated from the practice squad for back-to-back weeks with Aaron Jones (hamstring) sidelined. Jones almost played in Sunday’s game against the Saints, and will likely be active on Thursday night against the Lions.

Taylor was also elevated for Week 2 to play on special teams, meaning his elevation does not necessarily coincide with the potential absence of lead back Aaron Jones. Emanuel Wilson’s game-day status will likely be more strictly tied to Jones’ availability.

Taylor gets the game-day call up to serve as depth behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon and could also work in for some special teams snaps. The team elected to keep undrafted free agent Emanuel Wilson on the roster over Taylor during final roster cuts, which could indicate the pecking order in the backfield behind the starters.

Taylor had spent his whole career with the Packers starting in 2020. He was the favorite to land the Packers’ RB3 job, and the team now only has two backs on the roster (Aaron Jones and A.J Dillon). The team could opt to bring Taylor back after they place other players on injured reserve tomorrow. Whatever the case, the Packers are certainly in the market for backup running backs.