Per the team's official announcement, the 49ers have signed running back Khalil Herbert and defensive lineman Titus Leo to one-year deals. To make room on the roster, San Francisco waived cornerback Eli Apple and waived/injured defensive lineman Mikail Kamara.
Why San Francisco Needed Him
The move traces back to an injury.
Jordan James, who was projected as the team's No. 2 running back behind Christian McCaffrey, suffered a fractured rib during the first week of training camp, opening a real void behind the starter.
#49ers new RB Khalil Herbert 👀 https://t.co/P3peSPMVNm pic.twitter.com/6XLg8adAgt
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) August 2, 2026
San Francisco responded by working out three backs over the weekend, including Herbert, before settling on the veteran.
Herbert
Herbert, 28, was originally a sixth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021 out of Virginia Tech and Kansas.
Across five NFL seasons with the Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, and New York Jets, he has appeared in 63 games with 13 starts, totaling 416 carries for 1,957 yards and nine touchdowns to go with 54 receptions for 316 yards and two scores.
His 2025 season was limited, with just seven games and 16 carries for 52 yards for the Jets.
The #49ers have signed RB Khalil Herbert
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) August 2, 2026
They have Waived/injured DE Mikail Kamara and released CB Eli Apple pic.twitter.com/Wu0iE1Ygks
He is expected to spell rookie Kaelon Black and veteran Patrick Taylor in the preseason as San Francisco sorts out its depth chart behind McCaffrey.
The signing comes during an active stretch for San Francisco, which added receiver Deebo Samuel on Thursday and placed receiver Ricky Pearsall on season-ending injured reserve on Saturday.
With McCaffrey expected to handle the bulk of the workload and Isaac Guerendo still working back from a torn pectoral, adding a proven veteran like Herbert gives head coach Kyle Shanahan another trusted option in a backfield that has taken some hits this camp.
