49ers Think Christian McCaffrey Will Participate In "Parts" Of Offseason Program
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) is "doing great" and that he thinks the star RB will be able to participate in "at least parts" of the offseason program. McCaffrey was a bust at the top of fantasy drafts last fall, as he played in just four games in 2024. He missed the first two months with bilateral Achilles tendinitis and then suffered a season-ending PCL injury on Dec. 1 in the loss to the Buffalo Bills. The 28-year-old's fantasy stock will take a hit in 2025 because of his injury-plagued season, but it's hard to forget that he has rushed for 2,407 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns while catching 134 passes for 1,174 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns in 31 games since he joined San Fran midway through the 2022 season. If healthy, CMC can be a league-winner, but the injury risk is very high.
Christian McCaffrey "Definitely Close" To Being Fully Recovered
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) said he's "definitely close" to fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his 2024 season early. McCaffrey told ESPN's Nick Wagoner he would have been able to return had the team made the postseason, but instead, he'll continue to rehab and expects to be ready for organized team activities in the spring. The 28-year-old was specifically dealing with a PCL injury in his right knee that caused him to miss the last five games of the year, but a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis led to CMC not making his 2024 debut until Week 10. The All-Pro RB was the biggest fantasy bust of the year without question, so his health will be closely watched heading into training camp in the summer. While McCaffrey's lengthy injury history will keep him from being a top pick in the first round in 2025, he's still deserving of first-round consideration.
49ers Officially Place Christian McCaffrey On Injured Reserve
The San Francisco 49ers officially placed running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, which means he'll be forced to miss at least the next four games. However, McCaffrey suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee in the Sunday night loss to the Buffalo Bills and is expected to need at least six weeks of recovery time. It means that unless the 49ers pick things up and make a run to the postseason, CMC's injury-plagued 2024 campaign will come to an end. Jordan Mason (ankle) is also on IR with a high-ankle sprain, which will force rookie Isaac Guerendo into the team's lead-back role for at least the next four weeks. With CMC officially on IR, fantasy managers can drop him in redraft leagues. The 28-year-old was a huge bust for fantasy managers this year. He didn't make his season debut until Week 10 due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis and ended up playing in just four games in 2024.
Christian McCaffrey Placed On IR, Facing Six-Week Recovery
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) is dealing with a PCL injury after getting hurt in the Sunday night loss to the Buffalo Bills and is facing a six-week recovery, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. McCaffrey was officially placed on Injured Reserve on Monday, and he will miss at least the rest of the regular season. The Niners have work to do just to get into the postseason, so we've most likely seen the last of CMC in 2024. In addition to McCaffrey, Jordan Mason (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain on Sunday night and will miss at least the next four games. It means that rookie Isaac Guerendo should become San Fran's top back moving forward, making him a priority waiver-wire addition this week. It was a disastrous 2024 campaign for the 28-year-old McCaffrey after winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. He finishes with 50 carries for 202 yards and no TDs in four games.
Christian McCaffrey Potentially Done For The Season
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a knee injury in the Week 13 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. The superstar running back left in the first half and didn't return. While fantasy players worried he suffered an Achilles injury, the team quickly called it a knee injury. Unfortunately, head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that the 49ers fear McCaffrey might have suffered a season-ending PCL injury. Fantasy players who spend the top pick in their fantasy drafts might only get four games from the superstar running back this year. Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo will likely split the backfield work with McCaffrey out of the lineup. Mason had 13 rushing attempts compared to four for Guerendo after McCaffrey left the matchup against the Bills.
Christian McCaffrey Ruled Out With Knee Injury On Sunday Night
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) will not return to his team's outing against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, per head coach Kyle Shanahan. The veteran RB was off to a hot start, averaging 7.4 yards per touch across his first seven handles for 53 rushing yards. He also caught two passes for 14 yards. However, he started awkwardly on a sweep and went down immediately and will not re-enter the game. Jordan Mason projects to handle most of the backfield touches for the remainder of the contest, with rookie running back Isaac Guerendo potentially mixing in as a change of pace. If Mason is available on your league's waiver wire, he'll be a priority addition going into Week 14. Given CMC's injury-riddled season, it would not be a surprise to see him miss the rest of the year, depending on the nature of his knee injury.
Christian McCaffrey Questionable To Return Vs. Buffalo
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) has exited Sunday night's contest against the Buffalo Bills with a knee injury and is questionable to return. McCaffrey took a toss on a 49ers first-and-ten, took a few steps, and immediately gave himself up as he did not look right. He was quickly brought into the blue medical tent for evaluation and escorted into the locker room shortly thereafter. It's unclear which play he picked up the injury in. Before his exit, the 28-year-old racked up 53 yards on his seven carries, adding another 14 through the air on 2-of-3 receiving. Stay tuned.
Christian McCaffrey Outside Top Five At RB In Week 13 At Buffalo
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is in Buffalo for a Week 13 contest against the Bills on Sunday night. The 2023 touchdown machine has not been himself on the ground since returning from double-Achilles tendinitis three weeks ago, averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. Shockingly, McCaffrey has been held out of the end zone as well. McCaffrey's involvement in the passing game has been steady though, garnering 5.3 targets per game which is right in line with last year's average. Still, fantasy managers hope that Week 12's 6.3 half-PPR dud is the nadir, and there is nowhere to go but up. Besides CMC's obvious track record, there are reasons for hope. First, Buffalo has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR points to opposing running backs. Also, quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) is expected to be back, increasing the efficiency of the Niners' offense. However, San Francisco will again be without legendary left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and left guard Aaron Banks (concussion) who was ruled out in the fourth quarter against Green Bay. The injuries on the line, plus speculation that McCaffrey is not yet at his sharpest, have him as a low-mid RB1 in Week 13.
Christian McCaffrey With Worst Game As A 49er in Week 12
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey continued his post-injury slump in a 39-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Last year's overall RB1 finished with 31 yards and a lost fumble on 11 carries while adding three catches of four targets for 37 yards. The last time a healthy McCaffrey scored so few half-PPR points in a game was way back in Week 2 of 2019 with the Carolina Panthers. Opinions may vary on how much blame to pin on McCaffrey himself -- it's fair to question his football shape after his lengthy absence -- but other circumstances are certainly in play. With career backup Brandon Allen filling in for quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder), Green Bay was likely emboldened to key in on the running game. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle), who is just as important to the Niners' rushing attack as its passing game, was also out. If Purdy and Williams can return in Week 13 at Buffalo, it's safe to flush and forget this one for the most part. But if not, McCaffrey will be at risk for continued struggles.
Christian McCaffrey Searching For End Zone In Week 12
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) is in Green Bay for a Week 12 matchup with the Packers. Through two games since his return, McCaffrey hasn't quite been himself, producing 13.7 half-PPR points in Tampa before totaling 12.6 at home in last week's home loss to the Seahawks. Conspicuously, McCaffrey hasn't scored a touchdown since he came back. The last time he went two consecutive games without a touchdown was almost exactly two years ago, spanning 28 games including playoffs. Green Bay presents a good enough opportunity for McCaffrey to start a new streak, ranking in the exact middle of the NFL in fantasy points surrendered to running backs. Though CMC has proven to be matchup-proof during his time in San Francisco, the 49ers offense is limping into Lambeau. Quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) has been ruled out -- ceding the start to backup Brandon Allen -- and future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is questionable. Any volume boost created by the 49ers leaning more on McCaffrey is washed out by the likelihood that the offense becomes less efficient. McCaffrey is still a must-start high-end RB1 this week, but DFS players looking for maximum production out of a pricy back might rather have Saquon Barkley or De'Von Achane.
Christian McCaffrey
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49ers
