Christian McCaffrey's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) did an extensive workout on a side field at training camp on Thursday and appears to be getting close to a return to practice. It's great news for the consensus No. 1 overall fantasy pick and NFL's reigning rushing leader. McCaffrey is recovering from a calf strain that he suffered earlier this month and is not going to play at all in the preseason as a result. But as long as the 28-year-old All-Pro is on track to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Monday night against the New York Jets on Sept. 9, he'll remain the consensus No. 1 overall fantasy selection in upcoming drafts. As of right now, the 49ers don't seem worried that CMC will miss the start of the regular season, but we'll continue to keep a close eye on his progress.

San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is dealing with a calf strain in training camp, and head coach Kyle Shanahan said he will not be taking part in the preseason. Furthermore, Shanahan said that McCaffrey might miss a couple weeks of camp with his calf issue. While CMC may not be in danger of missing the start of the 2024 regular season, this is bad news for the reigning NFL rushing leader and the three-time Pro Bowler. The 28-year-old led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs while also catching 67 passes for an additional 564 yards and seven TDs in 16 regular-season games in 2023, making him the unquestioned top fantasy pick going into 2024 fantasy drafts. However, he's no stranger to disappointment for fantasy managers due to injuries, as he played in a combined 10 games from 2020-21 while with the Panthers. CMC should still be the No. 1 overall fantasy selection as long as he's ready for Week 1, but this is a reminder of the risk that's also involved. Elijah Mitchell is second on the RB depth chart and would become a weekly play in fantasy lineups if CMC misses any time.

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.

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.

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.