{"id":1002954,"date":"2026-09-17T04:30:40","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T04:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/1002954\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T04:30:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T04:30:40","slug":"how-rare-rookie-kaelon-black-won-49ers-backup-rb-job-nbc-sports-bay-area-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/1002954\/","title":{"rendered":"How \u2018rare\u2019 rookie Kaelon Black won 49ers\u2019 backup RB job \u2013 NBC Sports Bay Area & California"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 49ers are 1-0 after defeating the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> in Week 1 in Melbourne and have set the tone for the rest of the 2026 NFL season. The 49ers played well in all three phases to win the game but were particularly strong in the run game, with Christian McCaffrey<\/a> playing at a high level. But the 49ers also got a big game from rookie Kaelon Black<\/a>, who formed a two-headed monster in the backfield with McCaffrey.<\/p>\n

And Kyle Shanahan is raving about his rookie ball carrier, alluding to Black’s strong training camp and week leading up to the game as the big reason why he was able to earn a big role right away.<\/p>\n

“More that he earned in training camp to be our number two back, so he was who we were going to go with and just how prepared he seemed throughout the week,” Shanahan told reporters. “I mean, there wasn’t a time that, all right, Christian got this rep, it’s a play for Christian, and his backup won’t know what to do. He showed during the week how attentive he was, how much he knew, how much he was studying whether he got to rep or not.<\/p>\n

“And when you do that, even though certain things you definitely want to keep Christian in on, that just makes it a lot easier for [running backs coach Robert Turner Jr.] Bobby to sub him. He doesn’t always know what play I’m going to call and stuff and when you’re confident that the backup knows what he’s doing and can do it, it makes it easier on the position coaches.”<\/p>\n

2\ufe0f\u20e3 Kaelon Black \u2014 RB, SF<\/p>\n

Black had 14 carries for 60+ yards against the Rams and should continue getting work as SF tries to limit CMC\u2019s workload.<\/p>\n

Only rostered in 15.4% of ESPN leagues.<\/p>\n

One of my FAVORITE stashes this week. pic.twitter.com\/TE0vee9RAn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brandon Deutsch (@BSDtakes) September 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Last season, McCaffrey enjoyed a dominant comeback campaign after playing in only four games the year before, recording over 1,200 rushing yards and scoring seven touchdowns and earning a Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro selection while also earning the league’s Comeback Player of the Year. But leading the league in carries and rarely coming off the field, the 49ers made it a point to find someone who could alleviate the pressure on him.<\/p>\n

Black was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the 49ers, and while the pick came as a surprise to many, Shanahan loved what he saw from Black in college. Calling him ‘rare,’ Black’s maturity and the way he has conducted himself since entering the building caught Shanahan’s attention early.<\/p>\n

“I’d like to say it’s what I expect, but it’s not always what you get. But, that’s how he was advertised coming out of college,” Shanahan told reporters. “I do think he’s rare in terms of his maturity and just how much of a pro he’s seemed like since Day 1.”<\/p>\n

When it came to the Week 1 game itself, the plan was always to integrate Black, but the rookie’s performance made it hard to keep him off the field, ending the game with more carries than McCaffrey. For the rest of the season, especially with the 49ers dealing with injuries early on, that could prove to be very encouraging.<\/p>\n

“Yeah, it did work out. I was a little surprised at the end just that Kaelon got more than Christian,” Shanahan told reporters about the run game plan for Week 1. “That was just kind of how the game went. Has a lot to do with probably me starting out the game. I think I had like three runs in the first 17 plays, but love taking some off Christian and love the fact that Kaelon was prepared for everything, the run game and the pass game, and allowed us to be able to do that.”<\/p>\n

The 49ers now shift their focus to their Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, where another win will give them even more momentum moving forward. Returning to Levi’s Stadium, kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT.<\/p>\n

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

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