49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Scores first rushing TD this season
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McCaffrey took 17 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown while hauling in seven of eight targets for 57 yards in Sunday's 30-19 loss to the Buccaneers.
McCaffrey scored his first regular-season touchdown since the 2023 campaign after being held out of the end zone as a runner over his previous five starts this year and all four healthy appearances in 2024. The dual-threat superstar has been in the doldrums as a pure rusher this season (3.1 YPC), but he has offset that with WR1 production as a receiver (46-444-3). In fact, CMC has finished with more receiving yards than rushing yards in five of his six starts this year, highlighting a peculiar start to his game logs. Fantasy managers could care less how their workhorse gets his numbers so long as the overall production is elite, as it has been all season. McCaffrey will likely be asked to continue shouldering the load for the 49ers' offense against the Falcons on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Tallies 30 touches in OT win
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McCaffrey rushed 22 times for 57 yards and brought in eight of nine targets for 82 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.
McCaffrey was the last man standing among the 49ers' front-line offensive players, so the fact he garnered plenty of attention from the Rams' front seven each time he took a handoff wasn't surprising. However, the versatile star once again made his mark as a receiver, logging his third consecutive tally of over 80 yards through the air. McCaffrey's catch and yardage totals were also both his third highest of the season, and with San Francisco possibly still down multiple key skill-position players in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12, he should be in for a similarly busy day in that contest.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Continues receiving excellence
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McCaffrey took 17 carries for 49 yards while adding six receptions on 11 targets for 92 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-21 loss to Jacksonville.
McCaffrey stuck to the script that has been unfolding for him through four weeks, with another monster receiving effort that helped mask inefficient rushing totals. The 29-year-old is averaging a career worst 3.3 yards per carry with no rushing touchdowns through four games. Nearly all of his production has come through the air (31-305-2 on a massive 43 targets), but the total package is still elite from a fantasy perspective. CMC is averaging 26.3 combined touches in four starts this season, giving him an extremely high floor heading into Thursday's tilt against the Rams.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Cracks century mark in total yards
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McCaffrey rushed 17 times for 52 yards while corralling 10 of 15 targets for 88 yards in Sunday's 16-15 victory over the Cardinals.
McCaffrey continued to shoulder the load for a shorthanded 49ers offense that was without starters Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder), George Kittle (hamstring) and Jauan Jennings (ankle) in Week 3. CMC wound up handling a whopping 27 combined touches en route to his third 100-plus yard game in as many tries this season. Opposing defenses have been stacking the box against San Francisco in the two games Mac Jones has started, resulting in less running lanes for McCaffrey and a subpar average of 3.6 yards per carry. Fortunately for fantasy managers, the dual-threat superstar's ability as a pass catcher (25-213-1) has helped offset his slow start on the ground. McCaffrey should check in as an elite RB1 for Week 4 when the 49ers host the Jaguars next Sunday.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Finds end zone in Week 2 win
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McCaffrey carried the ball 13 times for 55 yards and caught six of seven targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Saints.
With the 49ers' offense missing a number of key players, including Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder), George Kittle (hamstring) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee), McCaffrey put the team on his back and carried it to a second straight victory to begin the season. His seven-yard TD reception from Mac Jones just before halftime was McCaffrey's first score of the year, but he's topped 100 scrimmage yards in both of the Niners' games so far. In Week 3, he'll take aim at a Cardinals defense he didn't face during an injury-plagued 2024, but which he lit up for an incredible 364 combined yards and seven total touchdowns in their two 2023 meetings.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Racks up 142 yards from scrimmage
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McCaffrey (calf) handled 22 carries for 69 yards and nine receptions for 73 yards on 10 targets in Sunday's 17-13 win over the Seahawks.
McCaffrey shook off any concerns from popping up on the injury report late in the practice week by handling 31 combined touches in a tight victory over a division foe to kick off the regular season. Newly-acquired backup Brian Robinson (9-33-0) was the only other back to receive a carry outside of McCaffrey. The 49ers didn't have the luxury of taking a cautious approach with its star running back after TE George Kittle (hamstring) and WR Jauan Jennings (shoulder) both left Sunday's contest due to injury. McCaffrey could continue to see extra work as a receiver if either of his banged-up teammates are forced to miss next Sunday's road matchup against the Saints.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Suiting up in season opener
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McCaffrey (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
McCaffrey's status heading into Week 1 was cloudy after he was limited in Thursday's practice due to the calf issue before sitting out Friday's session entirely. However, after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that McCaffrey was a "big participant' in Saturday's team walk-through, the 49ers were apparently satisfied enough with the star tailback's condition to clear him for the season opener. Though McCaffrey looks poised to handle his usual lead role out of the backfield, the 49ers could still aim to ease him with a lighter workload than initially planned if the team still has any lingering concern about the health of his calf.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Still trending to play Week 1
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McCaffrey (calf) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Seattle, though he's still "trending" toward playing after he was a "big participant" in the 49ers' team walk-through Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
McCaffrey had enjoyed a healthy training camp and preseason before he unexpectedly popped up on the 49ers' injury report Thursday, when he was listed as a limited participant in practice due to a calf injury. Though McCaffrey's 2024 debut was delayed until Week 10 after he suffered a calf strain last August that was later reclassified as bilateral Achilles tendinitis, the 49ers appear to be more optimistic that the 29-year-old will avoid any missed games this time around. McCaffrey was listed as a non-participant in Friday's practice, but he was spotted doing some running off to the side and downplayed the calf injury when he spoke to reporters after the session. McCaffrey's inclusion in the walk-through Saturday represents another positive indicator that he'll suit up, but fantasy managers planning on using the star running back in Week 1 will still want to keep tabs on his status leading up to 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. If the 49ers ultimately decide to hold McCaffrey out of the contest or limit his workload, Brian Robinson and Isaac Guerendo would be in line for enhanced roles out of the backfield.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Status in question for Sunday
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that McCaffrey (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Seattle, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Shanahan added that McCaffrey's calf injury "came up yesterday" in reference to the running back's limited practice Thursday, per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News, and that he didn't take part in any drills Friday. With his status for Week 1 up in the air and a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff on tap Sunday, Brian Robinson and Isaac Guerendo are the 49ers' healthy backfield options in the event McCaffrey is inhibited or even sidelined.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: In uniform for Friday's practice
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McCaffrey (calf) is warming up in uniform at the start of Friday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
McCaffrey appears ready to practice, one day after the 49ers added him to their injury report as a limited participant due to a calf issue. It's a sign that he hopes to play though the concern this Sunday at Seattle, although fantasy managers surely remain worried, given last year's saga with a so-called calf injury.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Pops up with calf injury
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McCaffrey was limited at Thursday's practice due to a calf injury, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
McCaffrey's sudden appearance on the 49ers' Week 1 practice report with the same listed health concern that eventually resulted in a diagnosis of Achilles tendinitis and eight games missed to begin last season isn't a great sign. While the team may merely be managing his workload, his status now will be one to monitor closely ahead of Sunday's game at Seattle. With rookie Jordan James (finger) dealing with an injury as well, Brian Robinson and Isaac Guerendo are the current healthy running backs on San Francisco's active roster.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Not in uniform Saturday
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McCaffrey isn't warming up ahead of Saturday's preseason contest versus the Chargers, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
McCaffrey won't see any exhibition action this year, but by all accounts he's been looking like his pre-2024 self after dealing with Achilles tendinitis in both legs and a PCL sprain in his right knee last season. In parts of three campaigns since being traded from Carolina to San Francisco in October 2022, he's averaged 115.5 yards from scrimmage per game and scored 31 TDs in 31 regular-season games.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Won't take field Saturday
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McCaffrey will not join Brock Purdy and the majority of San Francisco's starters in suiting up for Saturday's preseason game against the Raiders, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
McCaffrey has been a full-go at training camp, but the 49ers will opt to rest him for a second consecutive preseason game. The veteran running back's final opportunity to handle exhibition reps will come Saturday, Aug. 23 against the Chargers, but it remains to be seen whether San Francisco will consider allowing him to suit up, or take a conservative to the All-Pro's health until Week 1. With Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and Jordan James (finger) both nursing injuries, a combination of Patrick Taylor, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Corey Kiner and Jeff Wilson will handle backfield reps on Saturday.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Not on track to play Saturday
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McCaffrey is not in line to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Broncos, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle and David Lombardi of SFStandard.com report.
With Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and Jordan James (finger) both injured, Patrick Taylor, Ameer Abdullah, Ke'Shawn Vaughnand Corey Kiner are available to handle the 49ers' backfield reps Saturday. It's unclear if McCaffrey will see action next Saturday against the Raiders, but it wouldn't surprise us if the 49ers continued to play it safe with their star running back ahead of Week 1.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Looking healthy at start of camp
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that McCaffrey is "here and healthy" for the start of 49ers training camp, but the running back's workload will be managed in advance of the regular season, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
After a 2024 season in which he missed 13 games due to Achilles tendinitis in both legs and a PCL sprain in his right knee, McCaffrey didn't have any restrictions during the offseason program and appears to be back to his normal self as camp kicks off. FB Kyle Juszczyk spoke highly of the 29-year-old McCaffrey two weekends ago at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, telling Vic Tafur of The Athletic, "Christian is arguably the best player in the NFL. He was the offensive player of the year two years ago. ... He looks so healthy, he looks so explosive." McCaffrey mustered just 348 yards from scrimmage and no touchdowns on 65 touches in his four appearances last season, but in the aforementioned, award-winning 2023 campaign, he put up 2,023 total yards and 21 TDs in 16 regular-season games.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: No restrictions at OTAs
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McCaffrey is participating in the offseason program without any restrictions, ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner reports.
Coach Kyle Shanahan declared McCaffrey healthy in early April, which wasn't surprising after the running back told reporters in early January that he was already almost back to full strength. The 49ers then traded Jordan Mason to the Vikings and allowed Elijah Mitchell to sign with the Chiefs, leaving 2024 fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo as McCaffrey's likely backup for 2025. McCaffrey missed the first eight games of last season with Achilles tendinitis in both legs, later missing the final five games because of a PCL sprain in his right knee. It was his third time in the past five years missing double-digit games, but he played either 16 or 17 regular-season games in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. McCaffrey is under contract through 2027 after signing an extension last summer, albeit with no guaranteed money beyond 2025.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Recovered from knee injury
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San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said last week that McCaffrey (knee) is healthy and doing well, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Shanahan also mentioned the possibility of drafting another running back to join McCaffrey and 2024 fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo. The 49ers traded Jordan Mason to the Vikings and lost Elijah Mitchell to the Chiefs in free agency, thinning out a backfield that was devastated by injuries last season. McCaffrey missed the first eight games with Achilles tendinitis and the final five games with a PCL sprain, ultimately taking 65 touches for 346 yards and no TDs in four appearances -- his third time playing fewer than half of the games in a season. He's apparently healthy well before the start of OTAs, but concerns about durability will continue to impact McCaffrey's fantasy value for his age-29 season ahead. It remains to be seen if his Achilles tendons, in particular, can hold up to the kind of workloads Shanahan typically has given him, though perhaps he is trying to avoid having to find out the answer to that question if the team does in fact add another running back to the mix.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Goes on IR
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The 49ers placed McCaffrey (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Just as head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Monday would be the case, McCaffrey was moved off the 53-man roster after the running back suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee during Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills. Shanahan said that McCaffrey will likely need around six weeks to recover from the injury, so he'll miss the rest of the regular season and may return to action only if the 5-7 49ers make a surprise playoff run. McCaffrey should be back to full strength for the offseason program and will be entering the final guaranteed year of his contract in 2025. After spending the first nine weeks of the season on IR while recovering from a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey appeared in just four games in 2024, failing to score a touchdown while carrying 50 times for 202 yards and recording 15 receptions for 146 yards on 19 targets.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Headed to IR, out at least six weeks
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that McCaffrey is headed to injured reserve and is expected to need at least six weeks to recover from the PCL injury he suffered in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
McCaffrey sustained the injury in the first half of Sunday's contest, when his right knee appeared to give out on him when he attempted to run upfield on a pitch to the outside. Jordan Mason stepped in for McCaffrey and took on the majority of the snaps out of the backfield, but he too is bound for IR after suffering a high-ankle sprain late in the contest. With the top two backs on the 49ers' roster out until at least Week 18, rookie Isaac Guerendo vaults to the top spot on the depth chart and could be in line for a three-down role, making him a priority pickup in all fantasy leagues where he's available. McCaffrey, meanwhile, could have an outside chance at making it back in action if the 49ers make a deep playoff run, though their postseason hopes are fading as they head into Week 14 with a 5-7 record. Shanahan said that McCaffrey won't require surgery on the knee injury, so the star tailback should be back to full health in advance of OTAs in the spring.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: PCL injury could end season
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills that McCaffrey (knee) suffered a PCL injury in the contest that may be season-ending, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Making only his fourth appearance after missing the 49ers' first eight games due to a strained calf and bilateral Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey injured his right knee while he attempted to plant his feet and move upfield on a pitch, only to slide down and take a five-yard loss. After initially heading to the locker room and being listed as questionable to return, McCaffrey was ruled out for the rest of the night. The star running back will likely undergo further testing Monday to confirm that he's dealing with a PCL injury, and in the likely event that McCaffrey misses time, Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo will be relied upon to lead San Francisco's backfield. If McCaffrey doesn't play again in 2024, he'll finish the campaign with 50 carries for 202 yards, 15 catches on 19 targets for 146 yards and zero total touchdowns.
