49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Facing uphill battle to play Week 2
Rotowire
McCaffrey (Achilles/calf) appears to be a "long shot" to play Sunday against the Vikings, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Citing those familiar with the running back's injury, Rapoport suggests that the 49ers are leaning toward holding McCaffrey out for another week while he manages Achilles tendinitis in addition to a calf strain that dates back to early August. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Tuesday that the Achilles issue is the greater concern for McCaffrey at this time and is requiring more treatment than the pulled calf. Though McCaffrey could still practice in some fashion this week and perhaps even take a questionable designation into Sunday, Jordan Mason looks to be the early favorite to receive another turn as the 49ers' lead back. Mason turned 29 touches into 152 yards and a touchdown while McCaffrey sat out Monday's 32-19 win over the Jets, with wideout Deebo Samuel (eight carries) essentially serving as the No. 2 back.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Deemed day-to-day
Rotowire
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan labeled McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) as day-to-day heading into Sunday's game against the Vikings, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Though McCaffrey was listed as questionable for the 49ers' Week 1 game against the Jets on Monday, multiple reports prior to the contest suggested that the star tailback would play before he ended up being a surprise inactive. According to Clayton Holloway of NFL Network, Shanahan said that he believes McCaffrey would have suited up if the 49ers were playing a playoff game, but he sat out the Week 1 contest to afford himself more time to heal up from the lower leg injury that he's been tending to for more than a month. Shanahan noted that Achilles tendinitis rather than the calf strain is the main concern for McCaffrey at this time, so the 49ers will wait and see how the 28-year-old responds to practice activity this week before a decision on his status is made for Sunday's game.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Sitting out Week 1
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is listed as inactive Monday against the Jets, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
San Francisco thus won't have McCaffrey for Week 1 as a result of the calf/Achilles injury that he's dealt with since early August. In McCaffrey's stead, the team will turn to Jordan Mason out of the backfield, with Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor on hand for any reps that linger. McCaffrey will turn his focus to being available Sunday at Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: To be inactive Monday
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is in line to be inactive Monday against the Jets, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
In a surprise turn of events, the 49ers won't have McCaffrey available due to the combined calf/Achilles injury that he's tended to since early August. Jordan Mason thus should serve as the team's top running back Week 1.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Remains likely to play Monday
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Jets, but he expects to play and handle something close to his normal workload, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Rapoport relays that McCaffrey expects to take on around 15 to 20 touches, which isn't far off the 21.9 combined carries and receptions per game that he averaged over his 19 regular-season and playoff appearances in 2023. McCaffrey won't be formally cleared until the 49ers release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes prior to Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but fantasy managers can feel comfortable locking him into their Week 1 lineups.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Jets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
McCaffrey said Friday that he will be available for the season opener, and while the expectation remains that he'll be cleared ahead of Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, his questionable designation could hint that the 49ers plan to manage his workload. Regardless of McCaffrey's availability and touch count in Week 1, Jordan Mason should be primed for some work as the primary backup to the star running back.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Says he'll play
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) said Friday that he has no doubt he'll play Monday against the Jets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
McCaffrey made the comment after being a limited practice participant Thursday and Friday, but he was less confident about handling his normal workload, merely responding, "I hope so," when reporters asked. While the playing time won't be entirely up to him, it sounds like McCaffrey isn't worried about missing Monday's game on account of the calf/Achilles injury that was initially reported the first week of August. He's been doing work on a side field since mid-August and rejoined practice with his teammates Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Listed as limited Friday
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf) was a limited practice participant Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
He has just one more chance to progress to full participation before Monday's game against the Jets, but it does seem McCaffrey is on track to play after 49ers GM John Lynch made optimistic comments Friday morning, saying the running back is "doing great" and will "be out there and ready to go," per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. The Niners listed McCaffrey as a limited participant Thursday as well, and he may end up being technically questionable even if the team expects him to play.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Looking healthy at practice
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) is practicing Friday and appears to be moving well and without issue, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
49ers GM John Lynch said Friday morning that McCaffrey looks like his usual self and is expected to play in Monday's game against the Jets. McCaffrey was listed as limited Thursday on San Francisco's first official injury/practice report of the season, but it sounds like he may progress to full participation Friday or Saturday. His calf injury initially was reported the first week of August, about five weeks before San Francisco's season opener this coming Monday.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: To be limited Thursday
Rotowire
Coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) will be a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The injury that forced McCaffrey to miss the entire preseason slate was termed a strained calf, but Shanahan tacked on Achilles in his session with the media Thursday. There doesn't seem to be much worry about McCaffrey's availability for Monday's Week 1 matchup with the Jets, but his status nonetheless bears watching in the coming days. Behind McCaffrey, Jordan Mason is the likely next man up at running back for the 49ers with Elijah Mitchell (hamstring, IR) out for the season, and Isaac Guerendo (groin) and Patrick Taylor also on the team's active roster.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Back at practice Tuesday
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf) is in uniform for the portion of Tuesday's practice open to the media, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
The 49ers' first official practice report of Week 1 won't be released until Thursday, so it's unclear whether McCaffrey is practicing in full or on a limited basis Tuesday. Nonetheless, it's encouraging to see the star running back participating in any capacity. A calf injury forced McCaffrey to miss all of the preseason and most of training camp, though he did resume working out on a side field in mid-August. San Francisco seems to expect he will suit up for Monday's regular-season opener against the Jets, but backup running backs Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo (groin) and Patrick Taylor could benefit from increased opportunities if McCaffrey's workload is limited.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Ramping up activity level
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf) increased his activity level on the side field at practice Thursday and seems to be getting closer to a return, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
McCaffrey also ran some half-speed routes on the side Thursday, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The star running back is expected to sit out all of San Francisco's preseason games while he works his way back from a calf strain suffered early August, but at this point there don't seem to be any serious concerns about his Week 1 status. McCaffrey still has over three weeks to get healthy before San Francisco's regular-season opener against the Jets on Monday, Sept. 9.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Dealing with calf strain
Rotowire
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that McCaffrey (calf) is nursing a calf strain and is unlikely to suit up for any preseason action, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Shanahan said McCaffrey's injury is minor, but that he'll nonetheless miss "a couple weeks" of practice and likely all of San Francisco's exhibition matchups. At the very least, the star running back figures to sit out Saturday's preseason opener against the Titans. Per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News, Shanahan stated that McCaffrey sustained the injury a few days ago. Having inked a two-year, $38 million extension in June, the 28-year-old is primed for a pivotal role again in the 49ers offense, especially if a Brandon Aiyuk trade comes to fruition. Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that McCaffrey's calf injury doesn't appear likely to limit him Week 1 versus the Jets, which is nearly a month away. Backups Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) are also dealing with injuries of their own, leading to the Monday signing of Matt Breida to join Jordan Mason as a depth option.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Lands two-year, $38M extension
Rotowire
The 49ers signed McCaffrey to a two-year, $38 million contract extension Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
CMC's existing deal was set to run through 2025, and he's getting an additional $8 million up front before this two-year extension kicks in to keep him under contract through 2027. The $19 million annual average makes McCaffrey the NFL's highest-paid running back, a distinction he'd already held at just over $16 million per year. This further sets him apart from Alvin Kamara ($15 million) and Jonathan Taylor ($14 million) at the top of the position. McCaffrey was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year last season and was third in MVP voting after finishing with 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns across 16 regular-season contests. McCaffrey turns 28 years old later this week.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Stellar 160-yard effort not enough
Rotowire
McCaffrey rushed 22 times for 80 yards while corralling all eight of his targets for 80 yards and a touchdown in a 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.
McCaffrey's day got off to an ominous start when he fumbled away his fourth touch of the 49ers' opening drive in Kansas City territory. The NFL's Offensive Player of the Year responded by scoring the game's first touchdown on a trick play in the second quarter, finishing with game highs in yards (160) and touches (30) despite coming up short in overtime. McCaffrey wraps up his first full season in San Francisco with 2,443 combined yards and 26 total touchdowns across 19 regular-season and playoff contests. Under contract through 2025, he'll head a retooled 49ers offense next year while likely being one of the first options taken off the boards in fantasy drafts.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Honored before Super Bowl
Rotowire
McCaffrey was named the Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Even by his own lofty standards, McCaffrey had an incredible season, racking up a career-high 21 total touchdowns while also totaling 2,023 yards from scrimmage across 16 games. His ultimate goal still lies ahead with the 49ers set to square off against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday, and he's chipped in an additional four scores across two postseason contests.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Carries offense with two more TDs
Rotowire
McCaffrey rushed 20 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns while catching four of five targets for 42 yards in Sunday's 34-31 NFC Championship Game win over the Lions.
McCaffrey proved why he deserves to be in the MVP conversation with an impressive personal effort to will his team to the final round of the playoffs. The dual-threat superstar had a pair of rushing TDs that helped erase a 17-point deficit at halftime. McCaffrey came a couple yards short of a third score on a lengthy run in the fourth quarter, but he was slammed on his head and needed to have his neck worked on by the training staff as Elijah Mitchell spelled him for a short score to finish off the drive. McCaffrey seemed to be in good health and spirits during the postgame victory interview, so he should be available on Sunday, Feb. 11 when the 49ers take on the Chiefs in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Two TDs in divisional-round win
Rotowire
McCaffrey rushed 17 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns and brought in seven of 12 targets for 30 yards in the 49ers' 24-21 divisional-round win over the Packers on Saturday night.
McCaffrey had a lower-volume game than anticipated, especially when factoring in that Deebo Samuel exited for good in the first half with a shoulder injury. However, the Packers' ability to hold leads for extended periods during the contest played a part in that reduced rushing workload, and McCaffrey navigated the drop in opportunities with efficiency, elevated involvement as a receiver and his 39- and six-yard scoring runs. Both of the star back's rushing touchdowns erased Packers leads, with the latter also providing the game-winning points. McCaffrey naturally figures to play a significant role once again versus either the Buccaneers or Lions in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 28.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Good to go for divisional round
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf) will be a full practice participant Tuesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
McCaffrey missed the 49ers' Week 18 loss to the Rams after suffering a calf injury during a Week 17 game in which San Francisco clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed. He's apparently healthy after a bye for the first round of the playoffs, and the NFL's 2023 leader in scrimmage yards should be ready for his usual every-down role this Saturday against Green Bay in the divisional round.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Expected back at practice next week
Rotowire
McCaffrey (calf) won't practice this week but is expected to return to the field next week ahead of the 49ers' divisional-round playoff game, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
McCaffrey suffered a mild right calf strain in Week 17 against the Commanders and subsequently sat out San Francisco's regular-season finale this past Sunday. The 49ers will take advantage of their bye week in the first round of the postseason and give the star tailback some extra time off to recover from the injury, but the expectation remains that he'll be ready to handle his usual high-volume workload when the team opens its playoff run Jan. 20 or 21.
