Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor Jr. or Pierre Strong Jr.

Sunday, August 10, 5:35 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. scored the team's first points of the preseason on Saturday. Taylor ran it into the end zone from five yards out to seal the deal on the Niners' first drive. The touchdown ended up being the 49ers' only offensive score in their 30-9 loss to the Broncos. The fifth year back was otherwise unimpressive, finishing the game with seven yards on five carries. He also caught his sole target of the game for a four-yard gain. Taylor ranks fourth on San Francisco's early depth chart but drew the start with coach Kyle Shanahan opting to preserve Christian McCaffrey's health, and with fellow backs Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and Jordan James (finger) already ailing and expected to miss multiple weeks. Taylor will have to overcome this week's inefficiencies when the 49ers face the Las Vegas Raiders next week if he wants to maintain his position.

Monday, August 11, 8:38 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (undisclosed) returned to practice as a limited participant on Monday. Strong had been down with an undisclosed injury. After appearing in 14 games and rushing for 108 yards on 26 carries last year, Strong is competing for a backup role this summer. He's currently third on the Browns' unofficial depth chart behind Jerome Ford and rookie fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson. The team also has rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins, who remains without a contract as he deals with an ongoing misdemeanor battery/domestic violence case. The longer Judkins is away, the more opportunities Strong should receive. Strong didn't play in the Browns' 30-10 preseason-opening win in Carolina last week, and it's unclear if he'll suit up against the Philadelphia Eagles this Saturday.