Who Should I Start? Ameer Abdullah or Raheim Sanders

Monday, August 11, 8:41 PM

The San Francisco 49ers have placed running back Ameer Abdullah (ribs) on season-ending injured reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Abdullah, who just joined the 49ers as a free agent on July 31, suffered a rib injury in a preseason-opening 30-9 loss to the Denver Broncos this past Saturday. While the 32-year-old was unlikely to make much of an impact this season (if any), it's another hit to San Francisco's depth in the backfield. The team is already set to go multiple weeks without injured Christian McCaffrey backups Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and Jordan James (finger). The 49ers brought back Jeff Wilson Jr. in free agency on Sunday in the wake of Abdullah's injury to provide some much-needed healthy depth behind McCaffrey.

Sunday, August 10, 9:20 PM

Los Angeles Chargers undrafted rookie running back Raheim Sanders led the backfield in the team's 27-13 preseason win against the New Orleans Saints. He had 10 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 11 yards. The 23-year-old made a strong case for the third backup role in an already crowded backfield with Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins, and Nyheim Hines. Sanders, who transferred to South Carolina from Arkansas in his senior year, finished his college career with 881 yards on 183 carries and 11 touchdowns on the ground, plus 27 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns. With Najee Harris' (eye) Week 1 availability uncertain, the rookie will have to continue to prove himself to secure a spot on the final roster.