The San Francisco 49ers are either getting healthier at running back or didn't like what they saw in that positional room after the team released veteran Khalil Herbert, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Herbert, 28, joined the team two weeks ago and he rushed six times for 18 yards in the team's 19-13 loss to the Titans in the first week of the preseason. He previously played in 63 games over five NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. He's rushed 416 times for 1,957 yards and nine touchdowns.
This decision could mean one of two things for the 49ers: Either the team expects one of its other running backs back from injury in time for the Week 2 preseason match against the Chargers, or the team would rather see more of Sincere McCormick, Zamir White or Patrick Taylor. In reality, it could mean both, as the 49ers could get Christian McCaffrey or Kaelon Black soon.
The 49ers' running back room behind McCaffrey is one of the more intriguing positional battles of the summer. Black is all but assured a spot after going in the third round this spring, but the other depth chart spots are up for grabs with Jordan James still recovering from a rib injury.
Either way, Herbert will not be a part of that battle moving forward.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Report: 49ers release veteran RB after 2 weeks on the team