San Francisco 49ers Terminate Contract of 7-Year RB

The San Francisco 49ers have released veteran running back Patrick Taylor Jr. from injured reserve with an injury settlement, making him a free agent.

The move does not count against the team’s 90-man roster as it works toward the 53-player regular-season limit. Taylor had been placed on season-ending IR on August 20 after an undisclosed injury—described in some reports as an abductor issue—suffered around the team’s preseason opener.

He started that first exhibition against the Tennessee Titans and managed just five carries for minus-5 yards on 22 offensive snaps. The 49ers signed veteran Khalil Herbert in a corresponding move when Taylor went on IR.

This is the second straight preseason Taylor has landed on IR with the 49ers. He missed all of 2025 after a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery. San Francisco had brought him back in March 2026 on a one-year deal with no guaranteed money, a low-risk addition as depth behind Christian McCaffrey.

Taylor, 28, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis with the Green Bay Packers in 2020. He bounced between Green Bay’s practice squad and active roster, spent time on the New England Patriots’ practice squad, and signed with San Francisco in 2024.

That year he appeared in 13 games (one start), rushing 39 times for 183 yards and one touchdown while adding three receptions for 25 yards. He also contributed on special teams. Career totals stand at 47 games, 104 carries for 444 yards and two touchdowns, plus 17 catches for 94 yards.

The release frees Taylor to sign with another team once healthy. RotoWire noted he has already cleared waivers.

For the 49ers, the backfield remains crowded with McCaffrey, Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, and others competing for backup and special-teams roles as roster cuts approach.

Taylor’s familiarity with the offense and special-teams value had given him a chance, but consecutive preseason injuries ended that opportunity.

Injury settlements typically allow a player to leave IR and seek work elsewhere while receiving a portion of remaining salary.

Taylor now becomes another veteran looking for a landing spot as teams finalize rosters ahead of Week 1.

The 49ers continue trimming and reshaping their depth chart without this move affecting their required cuts.