With AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey (PCL) landing on the Injured Reserve list and third-year running back Jordan Mason (high ankle sprain) expected to follow, rookie Isaac Guerendo is primed to make his first-career start on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. His expanded role is one of few changes happening within the 49ers running back corps. Since the start of the week, the 49ers have elevated veteran Patrick Taylor Jr. from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and claimed former New York Jets running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers.
Guerendo has appeared in all twelve of the 49ers games this season with a good portion of his contributions coming on the special teams side. Up to this point, the fourth-round pick has played 50 percent-or-more of the offensive snaps in one contest, Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. He logged another roughly 25 percent of offensive snaps when the team faced the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6 and again in Week 13 versus the Buffalo Bills.
"I think he is ready to go," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "(He) did some decent things when he started out. He didn't get a lot of carries, had some ups and downs but got better through everything. Then, when he got the bulk of the carries, I want to say some more versus Seattle, he only got better and he's gotten better throughout the year. So, I think he's ready for this."
Through 12 games, Guerendo has amassed 42 carries for 246 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 19 yards. While Guerendo's production has continued to improve, Shanahan noted that it's the young running back's urgency of running the ball at this level that's been his biggest area of growth.
"I think it takes guys some time. You start to get a feel for it the more, if you've got the right stuff, the more you get reps, the more you can adjust to it," Shanahan said. "How hard you've got to hit stuff, how quick those holes close, how when there is a hole how you have to hit it full-speed and can't hesitate at all, or it closes like that. We've seen that stuff get better in practice and we've seen it carry over into games."
"That's one of those things that just comes with reps. The more reps you get, the more you get the feel for it," Guerendo said. "The more (reps) I've gotten, I think I've caught onto that. That's something that has helped me and will continue to help me."
As the practice week gets underway, Guerendo says his game prep won't change. He's been working all season in order to be ready for whenever the team needs him.
"You don't like to hear it (guys getting hurt) and it's unfortunate the way stuff happens, but that's the way this game is," Guerendo said. "Stuff happen, stuff changes quickly. I give credit to Coach Turner for preparing everyone like they are going to start the games. When a moment like this does come, you're ready for it."
