Fantasy News: RB Israel Abanikanda Claimed by 49ers amid McCaffrey, Mason Injuries

The San Francisco 49ers and fantasy football players who were relying on the NFC West team's running backs are probably all looking for replacement options with Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason sidelined by injuries.

With that as the backdrop, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that the 49ers claimed running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the New York Jets.

The move comes after 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills and will be out for at least six weeks. What's more, Mason was also placed on injured reserve because of an ankle injury.

Mason played well for the 49ers and fantasy football players who picked him up off waivers earlier in the season when McCaffrey was sidelined. He ran for 100 or more yards in three of the team's first four games.

It is a testament to Shanahan's system that plug-in players can still be effective, which provides some fantasy hope for those who pick up Abanikanda.

Still, he will likely be behind Isaac Guerendo on the depth chart, which will limit his opportunities to be a surefire fantasy contributor.

Guerendo is the waiver-wire darling of the week everywhere one looks given the opportunity in front of him with the two injuries. It is not dissimilar to the one Mason received at the start of the season, and he thrived in this 49ers offense.

There is also something of a track record this season for Guerendo, who ran for 99 yards on 10 carries against the Seattle Seahawks and 85 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries against the Dallas Cowboys in the two games he received double-digit carries.

That suggests big things are ahead for the 2024 fourth-rounder when San Francisco faces the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Frankly, Abanikanda is nothing more than a handcuff option in fantasy circles at this point. Still, storing handcuff options on the 49ers has proven fruitful multiple times this season, as those with Mason and now Guerendo were in perfect position when injury struck.

It's not worth starting Abanikanda at this point, but it might be worth rostering him in case of yet another setback at the position.