49ers boost RB depth
San Francisco 49ers sign running back Zamir White to bolster backfield depth amid injuries
Key Points
The 49ers worked out Nyheim Miller-Hines in addition to Zamir White as part of evaluating backfield depth.
Corliss Waitman remains the team’s only punter on the 90-man roster after Jack Bouwmeester was waived.
Zamir White has 25 receptions for 152 yards in his NFL career, adding receiving capability to his backfield profile.
White helped Georgia win the 2021 national championship, underscoring his pedigree as a powerful, downhill running back.
Eli Apple brings a lengthy NFL résumé (104 games, 82 starts, 380 tackles, 61 passes defensed, six interceptions) and was noted to have been waived by the 49ers on August 2, 2026.
The San Francisco 49ers signed former Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White to a one-year deal, bolstering a backfield hit hard by injuries ahead of the 2026 preseason, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. White brings 198 career carries for 736 yards and two rushing touchdowns across 45 NFL games, giving the 49ers experienced depth when they need it most.
The signing comes as star running back Christian McCaffrey was held out of practice due to tightness. Backs Kaelon Black and Jordan James are also nursing injuries, according to Bradenton. San Francisco moved quickly to add options before the preseason opener.
White's Background and What He Brings to San Francisco
White, a Georgia product, helped the Bulldogs win the 2021 national championship before joining the NFL. He is known as a powerful, downhill runner. He also adds value as a receiver, with 25 career receptions for 152 yards, according to Just Blog Baby.
White spent his NFL career with the Raiders before falling short of expectations in the 2024 season. The 49ers worked out White alongside Nyheim Miller-Hines as they evaluated their backfield options, per NBC Sports Bay Area. White won the job and signed the one-year deal.
McCaffrey Injury Pressure Forces 49ers' Hand
McCaffrey's tightness is the key driver behind the signing. Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the situation but did not rule McCaffrey out long-term, according to Star-Telegram. Still, with Black and James also banged up, the 49ers had too little healthy depth to feel comfortable heading into preseason.
The 49ers needed a back with real NFL experience, not a practice-squad candidate. White's 45 games of NFL experience fills that gap directly. San Francisco clearly did not want to enter the preseason opener short-handed at the position.
Eli Apple, Xavier Thomas, and the Broader Roster Shuffle
White was not the only addition. The 49ers also signed cornerback Eli Apple and defensive lineman Xavier Thomas, according to Gridiron Heroics. Apple is a 10-year NFL veteran with 104 games played, 82 starts, 380 tackles, 61 passes defensed, and six interceptions on his résumé.
To make room, San Francisco waived wide receiver Junior Bergen, punter Jack Bouwmeester, and defensive lineman K.J. Henry, who was waived with an injury designation. Corliss Waitman is now the team's only punter on the 90-man roster, per NBC Sports Bay Area.
What Comes Next as Preseason Approaches
The 49ers are clearly building roster flexibility before games start to count. Adding a proven runner like White, a seasoned corner in Apple, and pass-rush depth with Thomas shows San Francisco is patching multiple spots at once, according to Gridiron Heroics.
The pressure is on McCaffrey to get healthy fast. But if he misses time early, White gives Kyle Shanahan a capable option. White's college pedigree and NFL track record make him more than a placeholder. He is a real contributor the team can lean on if needed.
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