Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor Jr. or Jase McClellan

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.

Sunday, August 25, 1:15 PM

Atlanta Falcons rookie sixth-round running back Jase McClellan (undisclosed) has been banged up the past few weeks in training camp but should make the final 53-man roster as a fourth running back. The former Alabama product carried the ball four times for 12 yards and added an 11-yard catch on his only target in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 22-year-old picked up 55 rushing yards last week against the Baltimore Ravens and looks lined up as the team's RB4 behind Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Carlos Washington. McClellan fell to the sixth round in April because of a foot injury that cut his final season short at Alabama last year. His skill set doesn't particularly stand out, but McClellan is a well-rounded rookie that will give Atlanta depth at the position. McClellan is only worth stashing in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.