Who Should I Start? Jeff Wilson Jr. or J.J. Taylor

Sunday, August 10, 8:52 PM

The San Francisco 49ers are signing free-agent running back Jeff Wilson Jr., according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 29-year-old had a recent workout with the team and is now returning to San Francisco, where he began his career under head coach Kyle Shanahan and played from 2018-22. The 49ers traded Wilson to the Dolphins during the 2022 campaign after acquiring Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. Wilson combined for a career-high 860 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) between San Francisco and Miami that year, but his role in the Dolphins' offense diminished from 2023-24. Wilson totaled a meager 16 carries for 57 yards in nine games last season, and he spent several months on the open market as a result. Now that he's reuniting with the 49ers, Wilson will provide healthy depth at RB for a team lacking it behind McCaffrey. Backups Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and Jordan James (finger) are dealing with injuries that will keep them out for a couple of weeks apiece. Meanwhile, recent free-agent pickup Ameer Abdullah (rib) had to leave the team's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos early on Saturday after suffering a rib injury.

Saturday, September 28, 6:52 PM

Houston Texans running back J.J. Taylor has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is noteworthy because it probably means lead back Joe Mixon (ankle) is probably trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game. Taylor was elevated last week as well with Mixon on the sideline. He rushed the ball once for three yards on hauled in both his targets for two yards through the air. He should serve as the emergency back behind Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale, assuming Mixon is out. Fantasy managers who have Mixon rostered should go ahead and prepare a backup plan for Week 4.