Matt Breida‘s second 49ers stint will not see him make the 53-man roster. The veteran running back is being released, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
Breida began his career in San Francisco, averaging five yards per carry and scoring 10 total touchdowns from 2017-2019. That spell was followed by one-year stints in Miami and Buffalo where he logged a special teams workload in addition to backup offensive duties. The former UDFA spent the past two seasons with the Giants before returning to the Bay Area as a free agent earlier this month.
That signing came as fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo was dealing with a hamstring injury. Monday’s move is a positive sign that Guerendo is in better shape from a health perspective, though, and he will be one of many backup options available to the 49ers at the start of the campaign. Christian McCaffrey is set atop the depth chart, and the likes of Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason are also in place as depth.
Breida, 29, has never logged more than 153 carries in a season, and that figure dates back to 2018. He has nevertheless proven himself to be a solid depth contributor in several backfields, so he could draw interest in free agency. On the other hand, several players at all positions will be available over the coming days, and several running backs with a notable track record will no doubt be let go.
As a vested veteran, Breida will not need to hit the waiver wire upon being let go. That will give him a slight head start on finding a new team, but it would come as a surprise if teams showed immediate interest before sorting out their depth charts this week.
Of course, the Georgia Southern alum will be a candidate for the practice squad if San Francisco elects to keep him in the fold and no outside suitors offer him a 53-man roster spot in the next few days.
