While some fans were likely thrilled at the reunion between the San Francisco 49ers and free-agent running back Jeff Wilson Jr. after one week of preseason action, the fact the Niners waited so long into the offseason to sign their leading rusher from 2020 pretty much tells you what they think of the veteran.
In short, he wasn't a priority signing. Rather, he was a necessary one.
San Francisco is dealing with a serious rash of injuries, particularly at running back, as Isaac Guerendo is out with a shoulder issue, rookie Jordan James is out because of a broken finger and now Patrick Taylor Jr. and undrafted rookie Corey Kiner are both banged up after suffering injuries in the 49ers' preseason bout against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.
Kiner, in particular, needed to be carted off the field after suffering an ankle injury, and that directly opens the door for Wilson to emerge as a not-so-surprising addition to the Week 1 53-man roster.
Especially after notching a touchdown for the offense in his return-to-San Francisco debut against Vegas.
Jeff Wilson Jr. is back in a @49ers uniform and back in the end zone
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SJVucPTXCx
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
Corey Kiner injury opens up door for Jeff Wilson to make 49ers' 53-man roster
At the time of this article's writing, Kiner's prognosis and long-term availability aren't yet known.
Either way, unless the undrafted rookie's injury isn't serious at all, Wilson now emerges as the likeliest of choices to claim a depth spot at the position on the regular-season squad, joining Guerendo and James behind the All-Pro, Christian McCaffrey.
This should make Wilson's reunion in the Bay Area sweeter after leading the 49ers in rushing back in 2020 and finishing his four-plus years with the Niners with 1,733 rush yards and 15 touchdowns before an in-season trade to the Miami Dolphins in 2022.
But Wilson fell out of favor down in South Beach the year after the trade, and the Dolphins opted not to re-sign him when he hit the open market earlier this offseason.
Noticeably slimmed down, the 29-year-old out of North Texas subsequently came back to San Francisco after preseason Week 1 when running back Ameer Abdullah's 2025 campaign came to a premature close with him landing on season-ending injured reserve with a ribs injury.
Now, Wilson and Co. can hope he plays a vital role, not unlike the ones he enjoyed as a go-to option when needed during his first 49ers tenure from 2018 into 2022.
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