The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back a familiar face to address their banged-up backfield. According to his agents, and first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers are signing veteran running back Jeff Wilson Jr., who worked out for the team on July 30.
With their backfield depleted due to injuries, the 49ers are re-signing their former running back Jeff Wilson, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Shawn O'Dare. pic.twitter.com/0buuxuY8bo
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 10, 2025
Wilson, 29, entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of North Texas and spent his first five seasons with the 49ers before being traded to the Miami Dolphins during the 2022 season. During his time in San Francisco, he rushed for 1,733 yards and scored 19 total touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference.
Over his NFL career, Wilson (6-0, 205) has totaled 2,370 rushing yards, 23 total touchdowns, and 585 receiving yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Now entering his eighth NFL season, he brings familiarity with Kyle Shanahan's system and valuable veteran experience to a position group in need of reinforcements.
The move comes after a string of injuries at running back. Veteran Ameer Abdullah, who worked out the same day as Wilson and was later signed, exited Saturday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos with a rib injury. Rookie Isaac Guerendo is nursing a shoulder issue, while Jordan James recently suffered a broken finger.
The injuries leave only Corey Kiner, Patrick Taylor, and recently signed Ke'Shawn Vaughn as the healthy options behind starter Christian McCaffrey.
The 49ers will practice on Monday and Tuesday before taking the field Thursday for a joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders in Henderson, Nevada, ahead of their preseason matchup next weekend at Allegiant Stadium.