Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor Jr. or Dante Miller

Wednesday, August 20, 9:56 AM

The San Francisco 49ers have placed veteran running back Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder) on the season-ending injured reserve list. Taylor suffered a dislocated shoulder in the team's second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and he joins the growing list of 49ers running backs struck by injury. While presumed backup Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) was able to return to practice on Tuesday after missing several weeks with a shoulder injury of his own, the team has already lost Ameer Abdullah (ribs) for the season. Rookie Jordan James has already missed a few weeks due to a broken finger. After trading Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings, the 49ers' running back depth has been seriously tested already, which is the last thing the team needs in their efforts to keep All-Pro Christian McCaffrey healthy. Jeff Wilson Jr. and Ke'Shawn Vaughn will likely see the majority of work in the team's final preseason game. If he can remain healthy, McCaffrey once more enters the year as perhaps the biggest difference maker in fantasy football. Still, given his checkered injury history, Guerendo is one of the league's most important backups to roster.

Saturday, August 9, 5:00 PM

New York Giants running back Dante Miller finished with a team-high 102 total yards in a preseason-opening 34-25 win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. Miller did most of his damage through the air, catching all seven of his targets for 80 yards, and added 22 rushing yards on 10 carries. The 5-foot-9, 200-pounder went undrafted out of South Carolina in 2023 and is currently in his second season with the Giants organization. He appeared in two games with the team last year and is now jockeying for position behind fellow running backs Tyrone Tracey Jr., injured rookie Cam Skattebo (hamstring), and Devin Singletary. Odds are still against Miller making much of an impact in 2025, but he's off to a good start in his battle for a roster spot.