JordanJames

News: 6 days agoJames (ribs) will not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Spin: James fractured his rib in late July and has still not recovered from the issue. Once healthy, the running back will have a chance to earn complementary work behind Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed), though as long as McCaffrey is available this season, he'll be busy, leaving limited touches for his backups. With fellow RB Kaelon Black (thigh) also not participating in Thursday's game, Patrick Taylor, Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert and Zamir White are on hand to absorb Thursday's carries in an effort to climb a depth chart littered with injuries before cutdown day.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: James is an intriguing insurance stash as a candidate to work as 30-year-old Christian McCaffrey's primary backup in San Francisco. The 2025 fifth-round pick didn't record a single touch on three snaps during a rookie campaign spent buried behind McCaffrey and a host of veterans. James wasn't utilized much as a receiver at the collegiate level and underwhelmed at last year's combine, so it's unclear what his upside will be in the pros. However, if the 22-year-old wins the No. 2 gig over rookie Kaelon Black and McCaffrey misses action, he'll be a priority add. Consider him in the final few rounds in deep leagues.