McCaffrey (calf) rushed 15 times for 84 yards and a touchdown while catching all four of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 31-7 playoff loss to the Eagles.
What it means:
McCaffrey also attempted a pass after both of San Francisco's active quarterbacks were injured -- but unlike his lone pass attempt that went for a touchdown earlier this season -- this one fell for an incompletion. The multi-talented back provided an early spark when he pinballed off multiple defenders for a long touchdown run in the first quarter, but he faced stacked boxes in the second half playing virtually without a quarterback. McCaffrey had an excellent regular season (1,880 total yards and 14 combined touchdowns) to complement his strong playoff run, and he played in every game for the first time since 2019. CMC was a great fit in San Francisco and remains under contract next year, which should have the fantasy stud near the top of draft boards as we look towards next season
McCaffrey (calf) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
What it means:
The 49ers took it easy on McCaffrey this week as he tended to a bruised right calf, holding him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. But he was able to return to the field Friday, after which coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey was "full go," according to Omar Ruiz of NFL Network. While McCaffrey's status for Sunday is clear, Elijah Mitchell's (groin) is not, as he's listed as questionable after getting in some minimal work Friday. Look for McCaffrey to handle his usual workload, with or without Mitchell, which has amounted to 19.5 touches per game during the 49ers' current 12-game winning streak.
McCaffrey (calf) returned to practice Friday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
What it means:
After he sat out the first two sessions of the week due to a bruised right calf, McCaffrey's presence on the field and in drills Friday is a positive sign for his availability ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia. For what it's worth, he relayed to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area on Thursday that there's "zero" chance he doesn't suit up this weekend, so now the only question appears to be if he'll have a designation for the contest. Meanwhile, fellow running back Elijah Mitchell (groin) again wasn't with his teammates Friday, which allowed practice-squad member Tevin Coleman to take reps directly behind McCaffrey. In the end, the composition of the 49ers backfield remains in flux for the time being.
McCaffrey (calf), who didn't practice Thursday, told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area that there's "zero" chance that he doesn't play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia.
What it means:
McCaffrey emerged from this past Sunday's divisional-round win versus the Cowboys with a bruised right calf. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, McCaffrey was in uniform and holding a helmet as he left the locker room to hit the practice field Thursday, but he didn't log any official activity for a second straight session, as coach Kyle Shanahan forecast beforehand. Fellow running back Elijah Mitchell (groin) also hasn't mixed into drills this week, while Deebo Samuel (ankle) was limited both Wednesday and Thursday. The 49ers are expected to have all three available this weekend, but Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not McCaffrey enters it with a designation.
Christian McCaffrey (ankle) not practicing for 49ers, will play
What it means:
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle) said he will play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
McCaffrey was held out of practice Thursday for a second straight day, but he told reporters there's "zero" chance he will miss Sunday's matchup. Elijah Mitchell (groin) has also been sidelined at practice this week while Deebo Samuel (ankle) has logged back-to-back limited sessions. Mitchell and Samuel will see more backfield work if McCaffrey is limited on Sunday.
McCaffrey has a $9,000 salary on the Conference Championship slate and our models project him to lead all non-quarterbacks with 16.3 FanDuel points. He has a $15,500 salary on the single-game slate and is the second-highest projected player behind Jalen Hurts. Across 11 full games with the 49ers, CMC has averaged 27.8 adjusted opportunities and a 73.6% snap rate.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey (calf) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
What it means:
McCaffrey emerged from this past Sunday's divisional-round win against the Cowboys with a right calf injury, which so far hasn't allowed for any on-field work this week. The same can be said for backup running back Elijah Mitchell (groin), while the do-it-all Deebo Samuel (ankle) has managed back-to-back limited practices. There's an expectation from Shanahan that all three players will be available for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia, but McCaffrey may enter the weekend with a designation if he's unable to mix into drills at Friday's session.
