No NFL running back played a higher percentage of his team's offensive snaps last year than San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey. Elijah Mitchell, their top backup, missed six games in another injury-riddled season, and McCaffrey was simply too good to take off the field. CMC led the league with 1,459 rushing yards -- 292 more than the next best RB. His 21 TDs tied for the league lead and he also added 564 receiving yards, which ranked fourth on the 49ers. His 339 total touches were the second-most of his career. McCaffrey's efforts earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors and a two-year extension. The Niners would love a repeat performance in 2024, but perhaps with less wear and tear. A healthy Mitchell would help them accomplish that. "We have to protect Christian from himself. He doesn't like to ever come out no matter what the situation is and I do think that's something we could protect him with more," head coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Jun 29, 2024 1:07 PM EST
Reigning Offensive Player of the Year and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has once again reset the running back market by signing a two-year contract extension on Tuesday that averages $19 million per year, according to sources. McCaffrey will receive an additional $8 million over what he was scheduled to make in the first two years while adding $24 million in guarantees. The 27-year-old's $19 million annual average makes him the league's highest-paid RB, for good reason. CMC finished third in the MVP voting in 2023 after going for 2,023 scrimmage yards with 21 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games. McCaffrey hasn't been immune to the injury bug in his career, but when he's healthy, he's a league-winner as the heartbeat of the Niners' offense. He should go first overall in most fantasy drafts this fall.
Jun 4, 2024 2:02 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has been absent for voluntary organized team activities this week, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wasn't worried bout McCaffrey given how hard he trains in the offseason. "It's like everyone else," Shanahan said. "It is voluntary, and I'm not too concerned about Christian." The 2023 NFL rushing champion was present for last year's sessions, but apparently he's taking more time to train on his own in his second offseason with the team. Fantasy managers considering taking CMC with the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy drafts this fall shouldn't be concerned at all after the do-it-all back had 272 carries for 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while catching 67 passes for 564 yards and another seven scores in 16 regular-season starts in his first full season with the Niners.
May 22, 2024 1:08 PM EST
Predictably, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was heavily involved in the team's 25-22 Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The newly-minted Offensive Player of the Year took 22 carries for 80 yards, plus eight receptions on as many targets for another 80 yards and a touchdown. The 21-yard touchdown reception improbably came from wide receiver Jauan Jennings on a trick play. It's hard to blame McCaffrey for the loss after 160 all-purpose yards, but besides the touchdown he was pretty well bottled up by Kansas City's defense, averaging just 3.6 yards on the ground while not gaining any chunks longer than 11 yards. CMC will once again enter 2024 fantasy drafts worthy of consideration for the No. 1 overall pick.
Feb 12, 2024 1:25 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey propelled his team to a 24-21 comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night in Santa Clara. The most productive back in the NFL took 17 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while hauling in seven of 12 targets for 30 yards. McCaffrey's name has been swirling around as an MVP candidate and though the award usually goes to a quarterback, it's hard to imagine the 49ers winning Saturday's game without him. His first TD was vintage McCaffrey, a 39-yard explosion fueled by vision, power, and agility. His second was a 6-yard plunge with 1:07 left in the game and San Francisco trailing. He'll be the top play at running back in fantasy next Sunday in the NFC Championship Game regardless of whether the 49ers play the Detroit Lions or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jan 21, 2024 12:30 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) practiced in full all week and was removed from the final injury report for the Divisional Round of the playoffs. After sitting out in the Week 18 regular season finale and during the team's bye in the wild-card round, CMC is good to go for Saturday's game against the Green Bay Packers despite straining his calf in Week 17. Even coming off an injury and having not played the last two weeks, the 27-year-old is easily DraftKings' highest-priced RB for the Divisional Round. He's been worth paying up for all year in DFS lineups, as he led the NFL at his position in scrimmage yards and should remain heavily involved on the ground and through the air against Green Bay. The Packers defense was a top-15 matchup for opposing RBs in terms of half-PPR points allowed per game in the regular season as well.
Jan 18, 2024 8:28 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) was able to put in a second straight day of full practice on Wednesday and is on track to play in the Divisional Round playoff game this Saturday against the Green Bay Packers. McCaffrey suffered a minor calf strain in Week 17 and was held out of the Week 18 regular season finale. The time off the last two weeks has served him well, and it's no surprise the 27-year-old is the top-priced fantasy RB on DraftKings for this weekend's game. CMC led the NFL in scrimmage yards in 2023 and will see his fair share of touches for the Niners. The Packers run defense was much better in the final three games of the regular season, but overall they allowed the 12th-most half-PPR points to the RB position over 17 games. As long as McCaffrey doesn't reinjure his calf, he's about as safe as it gets at the position in the playoffs.
Jan 17, 2024 7:19 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) suffered a calf injury in the Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders and did not play in Week 18 (along with other key starters). However, after the team's bye week, he is set to practice in full on Tuesday. The 49ers will host the Green Bay Packers on Saturday in the NFC Divisional Round, and it sounds like they'll be at full strength on offense. The 27-year-old was spectacular in the regular season, rushing for 1,459 yards (5.4 YPC) and 14 touchdowns and catching 67 passes for 564 yards and seven receiving scores. The All-Pro is matchup-proof, but he's also set to face a favorable Green Bay Packers defense this weekend. Green Bay surrendered the 12th-most fantasy points per game to running backs during the regular season. He's an expensive DFS option, but lineups might need him to compete for a top spot in GPP tournaments.
Jan 16, 2024 2:47 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) will not practice this week, but head coach Kyle Shanahan expects CMC back at practice next week when the team starts making final preparations for the Divisional Round. The best running back in football suffered a mild right-calf strain in Week 17 and was held out as a precaution in a meaningless Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams last weekend. With a bye in the first round of the playoffs as the top seed in the NFC, the Niners are expecting McCaffrey to be ready for the Divisional Round against an opponent yet to be determined. Regardless of which team travels to San Francisco to take on the 49ers, McCaffrey is going to be the highest-priced RB for DFS lineups next weekend.
Jan 9, 2024 8:12 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is dealing with a mild calf strain and will not play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Jan. 7. The 49ers have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, so McCaffrey and likely a lot of other starters are going to be rested in a meaningless game to close out the regular season. It's a prime example of why most fantasy leagues wrap up their championships in Week 17. With the 27-year-old resting up the next two weeks, Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason will both have bigger roles in the Niners' backfield, with Mitchell being the more attractive fantasy play for those with something still on the line this week. CMC was a league-winner for fantasy managers in 2023, finishing as the RB1 through 17 weeks with 361.8 half-PPR points.
Jan 1, 2024 6:03 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) left the Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders in the third quarter with what could be a right-calf strain. He didn't return to the contest, but he indicated after the game that it was more of a precautionary move. "I think it was minor and just made the smart move, especially not knowing what was going to happen next week," McCaffrey said. "I didn't just want to go in there and make it any worse. With certain things, you can't be dumb about it." CMC had 91 scrimmage yards before the injury to push his season total over 2,000. With the Niners locked into the top seed in the NFC for the playoffs, McCaffrey, as well as many other starters, are likely going to be rested in the Week 18 regular season finale versus the division-rival Los Angeles Rams.
Jan 1, 2024 12:02 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media that running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) might have suffered a calf strain during Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders. The team doesn't believe the injury is too serious. With that said, the 49ers secured the NFC's No. 1 seed in Week 17, so it would not be a surprise to see them rest McCaffrey and some other key starters next week. If so, Elijah Mitchell would likely operate as the Niners' lead back while Jordan Mason also gets involved.
Dec 31, 2023 4:23 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is officially questionable to return against the Washington Commanders. He was spotted getting his calf taped on the sideline. At the time of his departure, the star running back had amassed 14 carries for 64 yards, plus an additional four catches for 27 yards through the air. Given that a matchup against the Commanders seemed like a prime opportunity for McCaffrey to explode, managers will hope to see their first-round pick back in the lineup real soon. Until he can return, Elijah Mitchell will lead the San Francisco backfield.
Dec 31, 2023 3:13 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has spent all season as the consensus RB1 in fantasy, which certainly won't be changing in Week 17 at the Washington Commanders. On Christmas night against a quality Baltimore defense, the 49ers offense struggled to take care of the football but that didn't stop McCaffrey from going over 100 yards rushing with a touchdown plus six catches for 28 yards receiving. McCaffrey managers still playing for something in Week 17 have a juicy matchup on deck, as Washington has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs in half-PPR formats. Just last week New York Jets running back Breece Hall racked up a healthy 191 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against the Commanders. Start McCaffrey this week as an RB1 with a high floor and a scorched-earth ceiling.
Dec 30, 2023 2:35 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey turned in another quality fantasy performance in the team's 33-19 Christmas night loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The former Stanford star took 14 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown on the ground accompanied by six receptions of 10 targets for 28 yards. McCaffrey left some meat on the bone in this one, with at least one chunk play nullified by a penalty and a two-yard goal-line plunge thwarted in the fourth quarter by Baltimore's stout defense. Fantasy managers who didn't need a monster night from McCaffrey to make it championship week can look forward to a plus matchup in Week 17 at the Washington Commanders, who have been vulnerable against the run.
Dec 26, 2023 1:09 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey will take on an elite Baltimore Ravens defense at home on Monday night. The NFL's top running back has a challenge this week, no doubt, as Baltimore has allowed the sixth-fewest points to running backs in fantasy. McCaffrey eats tough matchups for breakfast though. The 49ers have faced all of the best three defenses against fantasy running backs (PHI, LAR, and MIN) and McCaffrey has an absurd 21 half-PPR average in those games. Kick back on Christmas night and watch the overall RB1 do his thing in a potential Super Bowl preview.
Dec 24, 2023 2:11 AM EST
In Week 15, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey handled 18 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown and hauled in all five of his targets for 72 yards and two more touchdowns. In the 45-29 victory over the Cardinals in Arizona, McCaffrey found room early and often. He scored his first TD on a 5-yard reception on a Texas route and his second on a deep shot in which he was so open he had time to fall on his back, get up, and score untouched. McCaffrey's lone rushing touchdown was a one-yard plunge. The fantasy star continues to operate as a workhorse, but it's worth noting that several times during the game McCaffrey could be seen getting treatment on a knee that seemed to be bothering him. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him appear on next week's injury report in some capacity. Assuming he's fine, CMC will again be the RB1 when the 49ers take on the Baltimore Ravens at home next Monday night.
Dec 17, 2023 9:05 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had a bit of a down game in last Sunday's Week 14 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He had his fourth-lowest fantasy output of the season while rushing for 145 yards, which says something about his consistent domination in 2023. It's tough to call McCaffrey a potential league-winner because he was more or less expected to do what he's doing and was drafted accordingly, but fantasy managers who made it to the playoffs with McCaffrey have to feel they have a chance against anyone when he's in the lineup. In Week 15, CMC will put fantasy teams on his back against the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the second-most points to fantasy running backs this year. He's the overall RB1 this week by a mile.
Dec 16, 2023 12:40 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 72-yard run on the first play from scrimmage in a 28-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. At the end of the long run, he was tackled at the three-yard line and caught his breath on the sideline as backup Jordan Mason vultured his touchdown, setting the stage for only his second game this year without a TD. McCaffrey finished with 16 carries for 145 yards and one reception on one target for eight yards receiving. The versatile back is usually more involved in the passing game; all three receiving numbers were season-lows. CMC will go to Arizona in Week 15 to take on the Cardinals, where he'll again be the overall RB1.
Dec 10, 2023 9:38 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey took 17 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown in the team's Week 13 statement win at the Philadelphia Eagles. He also turned four targets in the passing game into three receptions for 40 yards. Part of McCaffrey's historic reliability in fantasy has been his near-complete domination of backfield touches, which makes backup Elijah Mitchell's (knee) likely absence in Week 14 irrelevant. McCaffrey has a tasty home matchup on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks who have the 22nd-ranked rush defense at 119.3 yards per game allowed while allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Start CMC in Week 14 as the overall RB1 with an extremely high floor and a week-winning ceiling.
Dec 9, 2023 1:56 AM EST
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