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San Francisco 49ers Running Back Christian McCaffrey has been dealing with a calf strain for the past few weeks. While it's concerning news, there is always a window to return to practice and become fully healthy for the game when a player is injured in the preseason. It's not uncommon to see teams exercise caution before the season starts.
Preseason is the best time for a team to rest up their players, and they're more likely to show up on the injury report and miss practice because of this.
We've had an update on the Christian McCaffrey situation though, so let's dive in.
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Christian McCaffrey Injury Update for Fantasy Football
There is great news for worried McCaffrey owners. He is set to return to practice today. This suggests that McCaffrey's absence from practice could have been merely precautionary, as is customary. McCaffrey's injury was not seen as serious, and while calf strains can be nagging injuries, it's possible they were giving him extra time to recover.
Injuries occurring weeks before the season starts can be better news than injuries picked up during the season, as the player has much more time to recover.
More good 49ers news: Pro-Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey, who missed most of training camp with a strained calf, is expected to return to practice today, per source. pic.twitter.com/pmAI3rjRa5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2024
The 49ers were likely "playing it safe", and will now begin to ramp up McCaffrey's activity level in advance of the season opener.
UPDATE 09/05/24: McCaffrey is also dealing with an Achilles injury. It was originally not disclosed, but is part of the same injury McCaffrey picked up (the calf strain).
Kyle Shanahan said Christian McCaffrey's Achilles injury isn't new. Part of the calf injury he sustained in training camp. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) September 5, 2024
This is a concerning update, as an Achilles injury, even when not a full tear, can lead to weakness that can cause further injury. Compound injuries are never a good thing. Fantasy managers should check back and stay updated on the situation. His Week 1 status hasn't been revealed yet.
Christian McCaffrey Fantasy Football Outlook
McCaffrey is the consensus, undisputed No. 1 ADP player across all formats and platforms. He was the RB1 in PPR in 2023 and RB2 (behind Austin Ekeler, who appears to be a non-factor now) and scored over 100 points more than 2nd place Breece Hall last year.
McCaffrey stands as the best running back in the league and has been dynamite for fantasy, finishing in the top two in four different seasons.
He has workhorse volume at a time when Bell cow RBs are becoming harder to find, averaging 21.2 touches per game (Second in the NFL) and 272 total attempts (also second). McCaffrey is the focal point of one of the best offenses in the NFL and is a threat to score multiple times per game.
McCaffrey has 23 career 100-yard rushing games, including nine in 2023. Combining a safe, high floor with an astronomical ceiling, McCaffrey is set to have another huge season, barring injury.
Christian McCaffrey's Best Plays - 2023
part 1 pic.twitter.com/ivCmNVoMmx— Highlight Vault (@HighlightVault) September 1, 2024
McCaffrey is a human highlight reel and probably belongs in the Hall of Fame when his career is over. Even if he carries a "Questionable" tag, if he plays, you start him in your lineups.
And it looks like McCaffrey is on the road to being fully healthy with his return to practice. Unless he reaggravates his injury or picks up another one, McCaffrey will play against the Jets in Week 1 and looks to resume his run of dominance.
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