The San Francisco 49ers have placed running back Christian McCaffrey on the injury report, citing a back issue that leaves him listed as questionable for the upcoming matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Despite this designation, an insider has indicated that McCaffrey is expected to be ready for action on Sunday.
As the 49ers returned from their bye week, McCaffrey expressed confidence in his recovery. He described himself as “rested and recovered” during Wednesday’s practice, where he took a scheduled day off. However, he faced some challenges later in the week, being limited due to illness on Thursday but participating fully in Friday’s walkthrough practice. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan noted, “I know he wasn’t feeling well, but he looked good today,” suggesting that the back issue may have arisen post-practice or during Saturday’s preparations.
This season has seen McCaffrey remain healthy so far, a stark contrast to the previous year when he missed significant time due to Achilles and knee injuries. Should McCaffrey be unable to play, Brian Robinson is poised to step into the starting role, accompanied by players like Isaac Guerendo and rookie Jordan James as potential backups. Guerendo has primarily been limited to special teams without any offensive snaps this season, while James has yet to see game action.
Shanahan highlighted Robinson’s recent performances, stating, “Brian to me, like his last seven games have probably been his best game seven times in a row.” While Robinson’s form has been encouraging, Shanahan also pointed out that while they would ideally utilize multiple players, the offensive lineup necessitates wise roster management.
McCaffrey has undoubtedly been a cornerstone of the 49ers’ offensive strategy, contributing significantly to their strong 9-4 record. Currently, he ranks third in the NFL in scrimmage yards with 1,655 and fourth in total touchdowns with 14. McCaffrey is on track to potentially make history by becoming the first player ever to achieve more than 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a season multiple times, underscoring his vital role in San Francisco’s pursuit of success this season.
