ChristianMcCaffrey

News: 2 days agoMcCaffrey rushed 15 times for 75 yards and a touchdown while bringing in four of five targets for 41 yards in the 49ers' 36-30 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Spin: McCaffrey's carry total was modest by his standards, but he still outpaced backup Kaelon Black by 11 rushes and four targets while also recording a one-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. McCaffrey was highly efficient with his rushing opportunities, and he finished second in receptions and third in targets for the 49ers on the afternoon. San Francisco's pass-catching corps suffered further attrition this weekend -- Mike Evans exited the game with a rib/oblique injury, while Demarcus Robinson (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Saturday -- so McCaffrey could continue to see his receiving work creep up in a Week 4 home showdown against the Broncos next Sunday.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: McCaffrey is back for his fifth season with the 49ers after a bounce-back 2025 campaign in which he led all running backs in snaps, routes, touches, targets, receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and fantasy points. McCaffrey's rushing efficiency wasn't great (3.86 yards per carry), and he's entering his age-30 season after handling 450 touches (including the playoffs) in 2025. The history of overworked backs suggests we should expect a step back in 2026, but CMC is a unicorn, and the combination of his skill set and hefty usage in Kyle Shanahan's offense suggests he can overcome history. There's obvious risk here, but McCaffrey will be an elite option whenever he's on the field.