ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the San Francisco 49ers are releasing veteran running back Khalil Herbert ahead of the team's trip to Southern California for a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday and a preseason game against the Chargers on Thursday.
49ers are releasing veteran RB Khalil Herbert.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 17, 2026
The 49ers signed Herbert to a one-year contract on August 2. He appeared in the team's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans last week, carrying the ball six times for 18 rushing yards. He also caught both of his targets for 35 receiving yards.
His release could signal good news ahead for San Francisco's running back injury situation. Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, and Jordan James have all been sidelined due to injuries/setbacks during training camp. One of those players may be close to returning.
At the time of Herbert's signing, the 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown on the running back.
Herbert (5-9, 212) was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round (217th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. Throughout his five-year NFL career with the Bears (2021-24), Cincinnati Bengals (2024), and New York Jets (2025), he has appeared in 63 games (13 starts) and registered 416 carries for 1,957 yards and nine touchdowns, along with 54 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns. In 2025, Herbert appeared in seven games with the Jets and totaled 16 carries for 52 yards and one reception for four yards.
A 28-year-old native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Herbert attended the University of Kansas (2016-19) and Virginia Tech (2020), where he appeared in 46 games (22 starts) and registered 474 carries for 2,917 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground while adding 33 receptions for 293 yards and one touchdown through the air.
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