49ers running back Isaac Guerendo carted off with leg injury

Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo was carted off the field less than two minutes into the first quarter during the 49ers’ season finale in Arizona against the Cardinals with a leg injury.

On the fourth snap of the game — his second consecutive carry — Guerendo took a handoff from backup quarterback Josh Dobbs up the middle and was tackled by Arizona linebacker Kyzir White and defensive lineman Roy Lopez.

After trainers examined Guerendo’s left leg, he was placed on a cart and taken to the visiting locker room at State Farm Stadium. The 49ers announced shortly after that he was ruled out for the game, citing a knee-and-ankle injury.

Guerendo waved toward the 49ers’ bench as he was carted off the field and into the tunnel after teammates offered their sympathies as he seated himself on the back of the cart.

Patrick Taylor Jr., the 49ers’ fifth-string running back to start the season, took over the lead role in the backfield behind Dobbs, the 49ers’ third starting quarterback of the season.

Guerendo was the 49ers’ lead back late in the season after injuries to Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle), as well as Eli Mitchell’s preseason hamstring injury. The fourth-round pick out of Louisville finishes his first pro season with 415 yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries. He never eclipsed 100 yards rushing in a single game, but had 99 yards in the 49ers’ first game against Seattle and could have reached triple digits if not for a late slide to ice the game.

The 49ers completed their opening drive with a 51-yard field goal by Jake Moody to take a 3-0 lead.