The San Francisco 49ers are placing a strong emphasis on the health of running back Christian McCaffrey as they aim to recover from a challenging 2024 season. McCaffrey’s presence was sorely missed last year when he was sidelined by serious injuries, impacting the team’s performance significantly.
In a move to shore up their running back depth, the 49ers recently signed veteran Ameer Abdullah. This change comes in the wake of trading Jordan Mason to the Vikings, leaving second-year player Isaac Guerendo to back up McCaffrey along with Patrick Taylor and rookie fifth-round pick Jordan James.
Abdullah, now 32 years old, brings a wealth of experience with a career that includes stints with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and Las Vegas Raiders. Over his time in the league, he has participated in 141 games with 26 starts, showcasing his versatility as he accumulated 311 rushing yards and two touchdowns last season along with 261 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
While maintaining hope that McCaffrey remains injury-free, the 49ers recognize the importance of having a reliable backup like Abdullah, who has also played special teams. This proactive signing reflects their preparedness as they navigate through the summer and gear up for the season ahead.