Coming out of training camp, Christian McCaffrey was healthy and, by all accounts, looking like his usual explosive self. Then, the San Francisco 49ers’ superstar running back suffered a new injury — after missing most of last year with a variety of ailments.
With McCaffrey’s new injury — plus injuries to the Niners’ other runnings backs — what does San Francisco’s backfield look like entering Week 1?
Who’s Behind Christian McCaffrey on the Niners Depth Chart?
It was a rough preseason for Niners running backs. No less than four are on the injury report with varying degrees of seriousness. Per Adam Schefter, McCaffrey was added to the 49ers’ injury report on Thursday due to a calf issue, and he was limited in practice.
On Friday, McCaffrey didn’t practice with his teammates; instead, he was working by himself off the side, per 49ers insider Matt Maiocco.
McCaffrey is officially questionable for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked how concerned he is about his star running back, and he didn’t reveal much.
“Questionable concern. I’m not going to say anything about Christian, guys,” said the 49ers HC.
McCaffrey spoke to the media and surprisingly confirmed that he “feels great,” and plans to play against the Seahawks.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 5, 2025
For much of camp, McCaffrey’s primary backup was Isaac Guerendo, who suffered a shoulder injury on Aug. 2 and was out until Tuesday, when he finally returned to practice.
However, on August 22, the 49ers pulled off a trade for Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders. Shanahan has said that he will open the season as San Francisco’s RB2 and play a key role whether McCaffrey is sidelined or not.
Robinson has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over 41 games in his first three NFL seasons, and Shanahan is known for maximizing talent at the position.
Jordan James currently slots in as the No. 4 running back on the depth chart. He underwent surgery on a broken finger two weeks ago but is expected to return to live practice soon.
Patrick Taylor Jr. suffered a dislocated shoulder in a preseason game against the Raiders. The Niners placed him on injured reserve, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. He will miss the entire 2025 season.
The #49ers placed RB Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder) on season-ending injured reserve, per the team pic.twitter.com/LWZWRXhXWd
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) August 19, 2025
All of these injuries put the Niners behind the eight ball. While McCaffrey was healthy and ready entering training camp, he’s now a question mark entering Week 1. Even if he plays, managing his workload is crucial to San Francisco’s success, especially with his latest injury.
Fortunately, Robinson’s arrival has put the 49ers in a strong position heading into the season.
Robinson is more of a downhill, one-cut runner, and the Niners needed healthy bodies, and he will be a boon for them.
The 49ers’ season opener is against the Seahawks, and it remains to be seen whether McCaffrey will be available to play.
McCaffrey’s Fantasy Outlook for Week 1
PFSN’s Kyle Soppe wrote this about McCaffrey entering Week 1 against the Seahawks:
“You did it. If you’re reading this, you took the plunge on Christian McCaffrey this summer, and for that, I commend you. It’s a move made by managers who enjoy winning more than they fear losing, and that’s generally how I like to approach this game. You’ve done the hard part. Now, you just sit back and watch. And hope. And maybe pray, if that’s your thing.
“McCaffrey, famous for never leaving the field when he’s at the peak of his powers, has been a fantasy monster for as long as we’ve known him. Consider this: in games where he has played at least 80% of the offensive snaps, a relatively low bar for him to clear, he has averaged 25.8 PPR points per game.
“That’s a 55-game sample of production that is almost impossible to grasp. His output in those games surpasses the 2024 season’s RB1, Saquon Barkley, by more points per game than the margin that separated Barkley from RB5 Alvin Kamara. In fact, that 25.8 number is more than a pair of top-24 running backs from last season, D’Andre Swift and Tony Pollard, combined.
“As far as we know, the CMC plan is in full effect for the San Francisco 49ers. The team profiles as less potent than in years past, and with that, McCaffrey isn’t likely to come off the field. You already know that. You’re looking for a quirky stat to highlight his greatness, and I’m nothing if not a man of the people.
“So, here it is: McCaffrey has averaged 25.9 PPR points over his last 10 games against bird-themed teams.”
