LAS VEGAS — In the 2017 preseason, an undrafted free agent made a splash for the San Francisco 49ers at running back. That was Matt Breida, who — as an unestablished rookie — wore jersey No. 49 while gashing his way to a 53-man roster spot.

Running backs generally don’t prefer jersey numbers in the 40s. That’s fullback territory. The 20s seem to be the most coveted, but priority goes to veterans. And before the roster cutdown, when teams carry 90 players, rookie running backs don’t have their pick of the litter. So it was a point of pride for Breida when he made the 53-man roster in 2017 and, thanks to several numbers freeing up, was able to switch to No. 22 for the regular season.

“He’d talk about the ‘two-two’,” 49ers running backs coach Bobby Turner said of Breida earlier this month, pointing at an imaginary jersey number on his chest, “and how he worked to come from the 49.”

Breida delivered three productive seasons for the 49ers before a trade sent him to the Miami Dolphins in 2020. He later played for the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. Earlier this month, Breida — who’s now 29 years old — re-signed with the 49ers. He’s now wearing No. 28. And Breida now has a young teammate who’s following in at least some of his footsteps, seven years later.

That’s rookie running back Isaac Guerendo, who’s wearing that No. 49. His preseason debut in Friday’s 24-24 tie against the Las Vegas Raiders was an electric one, thanks especially to a 93-yard kick return in the first half — the longest runback so far under the NFL’s new dynamic return rules.

Turner said that Guerendo asked for a number in the 20s over a phone call shortly after the 49ers drafted him in the fourth round of April’s NFL Draft. But nothing was available, so Guerendo had to start with the No. 49 — and it reminded Turner of Breida’s rookie surge.

“Don’t let that number deceive you,” Turner said with a chuckle. “I’ve had a few backs wear that number.”

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