After back-to-back top-five finishes at his position, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is set to continue his dominant start to the season on Sunday. In Week 3, the 49ers match up against the Arizona Cardinals, a team that has been kind to McCaffrey in the past. In seven career games against them, McCaffrey has averaged 145 scrimmage yards and has ten total touchdowns. Concerns over McCaffrey's injury history dissuaded some fantasy football managers from drafting him, but the team has not been shy about getting the ball in his hands. McCaffrey had 31 touches in the season opener and leads the team in targets and receptions. A healthy McCaffrey has weekly overall RB1 potential. He should be locked into starting lineups for Week 3.
Sep 20, 2025 4:29 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for 55 yards on 13 carries during Sunday's Week 2 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He also caught six of seven targets for an additional 53 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Although the veteran playmaker didn't quite eclipse the 100-yard mark, he made up for it by scoring his first touchdown of the 2025 campaign. He also served as a very valuable and dependable pass-catching option for quarterback Mac Jones amidst the injury to Brock Purdy (shoulder). McCaffrey has wasted no time making a big impact in fantasy football, scoring at least 22.7 points (PPR) in each of his first two games this year. There's minimal competition for the 29-year-old in San Francisco, keeping him in the mid-range RB1 tier ahead of Week 3 versus the Arizona Cardinals.
Sep 14, 2025 8:39 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is not listed on the team's final injury report for Week 2. McCaffrey did not practice on Wednesday with his injury description listed as both calf and resting, but practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. The 29-year-old carried a questionable tag into the season opener but logged 31 touches for 162 scrimmage yards in the 49ers' 17-13 win over the Seahawks. With quarterback Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) ruled out and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) on injured reserve, the offense can be expected to run through McCaffrey once again when the 49ers face the Saints on Sunday. A weekly favorite for an RB1 finish, he is a must-start for Week 2.
Sep 13, 2025 12:25 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) returned to practice on Thursday after being rested in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. It's unclear if McCaffrey was a full or limited participant, but he should be good to go for Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints as long as he doesn't suffer any sort of setback on Friday. The 29-year-old oft-injured RB popped up on last week's injury report on Thursday but proceeded to play in the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks. CMC had a positive season opener after being the biggest fantasy bust in 2024 due to injuries, as he produced 142 scrimmage yards. He ran for 69 yards on 22 carries and also caught nine of his 10 targets for an additional 73 yards through the air. Quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) is not expected to play in Week 2, but McCaffrey should continue to be a target hog, especially with tight end George Kittle (hamstring) out three to five weeks. He's a must-start in all fantasy formats.
Sep 11, 2025 6:06 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf, rest) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. This shouldn't come as a surprise after McCaffrey dealt with a calf issue all throughout last week. It didn't stop him from playing as he rushed 22 times for 69 yards while hauling in nine receptions for an additional 73 yards in the season opener. He opens the practice week on the sideline, but that is probably for rest purposes. The 49ers want to give McCaffrey time to fully heal his calf issue. Fantasy managers should expect McCaffrey to be out there for Week 2. He'll remain an elite RB1 as long as he can stay healthy.
Sep 10, 2025 9:13 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was the central focus of his team's offense in a 17-13 49ers' win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. McCaffrey rushed 22 times for 69 yards and caught nine passes for 73 yards, a comforting sign for fantasy managers who might have been worried that a lingering calf issue would lead to San Francisco limiting his touches early in the season. The 49ers lost two offensive weapons in George Kittle (groin) and Jauan Jennings (shoulder) during the game. If Kittle and Jennings miss time going forward, San Francisco could be forced to lean on McCaffrey just as heavily in the weeks to come. As long as he's on the field, he's a must-start fantasy running back with game-breaking upside.
Sep 7, 2025 9:17 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is not listed among the team's inactives for Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, per David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. McCaffrey popped up on the team's injury report earlier this week with a calf injury, but it does not appear that the injury will keep him out of the lineup for the 49ers. McCaffrey battled through multiple injuries in 2024 that caused him to miss most of the season. As long as he's active and on the field, he's a must-start fantasy running back.
Sep 7, 2025 2:46 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) will play in Sunday's season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. McCaffrey had been listed as questionable, and there was genuine concern about his availability after he missed practice on Friday. However, in the end, it appears the star running back will suit up. Fantasy managers should expect him to receive a normal workload, which means he could earn around 20 touches. He remains a very strong mid-range RB1 option thanks to his talent, productivity, and role in an effective Niners offense.
Sep 7, 2025 11:18 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) did not practice on Friday, but he was a "big participant in the walkthrough on Saturday," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. As a result, the star running back is trending toward playing. Fantasy managers are holding their breath and hoping that McCaffrey avoids a repeat of the 2024 season when he was expected to be healthy for Week 1 but then ultimately missed the first nine games. We'll get confirmation on his status around 2:35 p.m. ET when the 49ers post their list of inactive players. If McCaffrey does suit up against the Seahawks, he'll rank as a mid-range RB1 in fantasy football.
Sep 7, 2025 10:07 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport. After sitting out Friday's practice with a calf injury, McCaffrey expressed confidence in his media availability on Friday. Rapoport reported that barring any setbacks, McCaffrey is likely to suit up. The Five-Time Pro Bowl running back missed significant time last season due to a calf strain, making this update a welcome relief for fantasy managers. He faces a Seahawks defense that was middle-of-the-pack against running backs in 2024, but McCaffrey has historically dominated Seattle, averaging 158 yards per game in six career matchups. While the risk of reinjury is always present with McCaffrey, he remains a must-start fantasy option this week given his workload and track record against the Seahawks.
Sep 6, 2025 3:59 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) said he "feels great" despite carrying a questionable tag into Sunday's season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. The star running back was not listed on Wednesday's initial injury report but was downgraded to limited on Thursday. However, on Friday, McCaffrey took a further step back, as he was listed as a non-participant. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status as he could end up being a game-time decision. Last season, the 29-year-old appeared in only four games as he missed time due to Achilles tendinitis in both legs. If McCaffrey were to miss Sunday's game, fantasy managers should expect Brian Robinson Jr. to see the bulk of the carries while Isaac Guerendo moves up to the backup spot.
Sep 5, 2025 5:59 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is officially listed as questionable for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks due to a calf issue, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. After reports that CMC was fully healthy and looking like his MVP self in training camp this summer, the oft-injured RB popped up on Thursday's injury report and was limited in practice. On Friday, the 29-year-old didn't take part in drills with the rest of the team and was seen on a side field rehabbing. He was questionable entering last year's season opener and ended up missing the first eight games with bilateral Achilles tendinitis. It's a different year, but things could be trending toward him sitting out in Week 1 again. We hope you handcuffed Brian Robinson Jr. or Isaac Guerendo if you took the plunge on McCaffrey in drafts this year.
Sep 5, 2025 5:13 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is working on the side field, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. The star running back was limited during Thursday's practice due to a calf injury after not being listed on the report on Wednesday. Maiocco noted that McCaffrey was not with his teammates as they went through a "pre-practice" routine. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during Friday's practice, as he may carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Seahawks if he cannot turn the corner. Last season, McCaffrey missed time due to Achilles tendinitis and would eventually suffer a further setback, which only allowed him to appear in four games. If McCaffrey were to miss Sunday's game, fantasy managers should expect Brian Robinson Jr. to lead the backfield with Isaac Guerendo serving as the No. 2 option.
Sep 5, 2025 3:57 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) recently landed on the injury report this week. McCaffrey seemed fine throughout training camp and the preseason, but now is dealing with a calf injury just days before the season opener. It's worth noting that McCaffrey missed a portion of last season due to a lingering calf issue. According to Tom Pelissero, McCaffrey's absence shouldn't be ringing any alarm bells. Obviously, the 49ers are going to be cautious with McCaffrey if he's feeling any discomfort at all. At the moment, there is no word on the significance of the injury, so it could be very minor. There is no reason to believe that McCaffrey won't be out there for the season opener. If he does miss time, Brian Robinson Jr. and Isaac Guerendo would function as the primary options in the backfield.
Sep 5, 2025 9:23 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) was listed as limited at Thursday's practice with a calf issue, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. This is exactly what fantasy managers feared when they took McCaffrey at a discount in the first round of drafts this year. It doesn't mean he won't suit up in the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. However, as Inman points out, we dealt with something similar in 2024 before CMC missed two months with Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs. The 29-year-old can be a league-winner when healthy, but his long injury history is what made him an extreme risk/reward fantasy selection. His injury will obviously be closely monitored heading into Sunday's game, but if CMC owners don't already have Brian Robinson Jr. or Isaac Guerendo handcuffed, they should do it immediatly if they are available.
Sep 4, 2025 8:07 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan thinks All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is poised for a bounce-back season in 2025 after the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year was limited to four games in 2024 due to injuries. McCaffrey has been healthy all offeason and training camp and has been looking like his old self. "He came in healthy this year. He had a hell of an offseason, he's had a hell of a training camp, and I believe that's going to lead to a hell of a year," Shanahan said. CMC got off to a late start last year due to Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs and then suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee that ended his season. While the 29-year-old is as injury-prone as they come, he's still worth consideration in the late first round of fantasy drafts. If McCaffrey can stay healthy, he still has the potential to be a league-winner at a discounted price in 2025.
Aug 29, 2025 5:06 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams said that running back Christian McCaffrey "looks fantastic" and "looks like offensive-player-of-the-year-Christian," per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. McCaffrey has mostly received glowing reports for his training camp performance so far from teammates and outside observers alike. The 29-year-old is coming off a lost season in 2024 due to Achilles tendinitis and a PCL injury to his right knee. However, he led the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns in 2023. McCaffrey has played seven games or fewer in three of the last five seasons, but he has number one overall player in fantasy upside if he stays healthy.
Aug 21, 2025 10:59 PM EST
The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that it makes sense for the San Francisco 49ers to lean on running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle in the passing game early this season. Barrows also added that if McCaffrey is "not back to his 2023 form, he's pretty close to it." McCaffrey helped many fantasy managers win championships in 2023, when he ran for a career-high and league-high 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns on 272 carries while also catching 67 passes for 564 yards and another seven scores in 16 regular-season starts. Unfortunately, CMC got a late start to his 2024 season due to Achilles tendinitis and also injured his knee late in the year. He ultimately played only four games and didn't look like his All-Pro self. McCaffrey is no longer in play for No. 1 overall in fantasy drafts, and although he's ranked fifth among RBs at RotoBaller, he's the biggest risk/reward RB.
Aug 18, 2025 6:14 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has been outstanding in training camp, drawing high praise from head coach Kyle Shanahan, who said the star back is "as fast as he's been." After injuries limited him to just four games last season, McCaffrey looks fully healthy and back to form. The do-it-all back is only two years removed from a 2023 campaign in which he racked up 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns. His strong camp showing has fantasy managers regaining confidence, and possibly pushing his ADP back into the mid-first round as an elite RB1 option.
Aug 16, 2025 6:34 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) and offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle) are both "here and healthy" at training camp, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Both players are ready to go, but their workloads will be managed throughout camp. McCaffrey was an absolute bust for fantasy managers in 2024, as he ended up missing 13 games, first due to Achilles tendinitis in both his legs, and then due to a PCL sprain in his right knee. The 29-year-old also took part in offseason activities and looked healthy then, so he shouldn't be limited in any way once the 2025 regular season begins. While CMC still has game-changing abilities and will be heavily featured in San Fran's offense, he has slipped to RB5 in RotoBaller's rankings because of his penchant for injury. McCaffrey is about as risk/reward as they come.
Jul 22, 2025 5:34 PM EST