RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Newsweek — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 3 sources
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. After what San Francisco 49ers fans went through two years ago, anytime star running back Christian McCaffrey deals with anything possibly injury-related, there’s a minor freak out in the Bay Area.
McCaffrey missed 13 games with multiple injuries in 2024, and the 49ers went 6-11 and missed the playoffs.
He played in every game last season, totaling 2,126 yards from scrimmage (1,202 rushing, 924 receiving) and 17 total touchdowns (10 rushing, seven receiving) while helping lead the 49ers to a 12-5 record and nearly winning the NFC West.
Clearly, McCaffrey is vital to the 49ers’ success. And given his injury history, the team is being cautious when necessary to make sure he’s not being taxed too much. As it turns out, that’s exactly what San Francisco wad doing with McCaffrey when he missed a recent practice that had fans questioning whether or not he was hurt again.
“Yeah, obviously, when you don’t practice, the way the media works now it’s a firestorm,” McCaffrey told reporters on Sunday . “But this was part of the plan from the jump, to ramp up pretty big, get nine or 10 practices in, kind of come back down and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration. I feel great. I feel fresh and it’s good to be back out there.”
The 49ers’ RB depth has been a hot topic of conversation this offseason given McCaffrey’s injury concerns.
The team is reportedly high on rookie third-rounder Kaelon Black, who rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns last season with Indiana. He could start the regular season as McCaffrey’s primary backup.
Jordan James missed some time with a rib injury but returned to practice this weekend. Third-year RB Isaac Guerendo is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle and likely won’t see the field for another few weeks.
Injury issues prompted San Francisco to sign veteran RBs Khalil Herbert and Zamir White. Both are presumably nothing more than training camp depth and unlikely to make the 53-man roster.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.