Is Christian McCaffrey The Starting Running Back For The 49ers When He Returns?

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) still has yet to play a game this season. He's been attempting to recover from Achilles tendonitis in both of his legs. He likely acquired the injury over time, as it's an overuse injury, and needs plenty of rest to recover.

It's been one of the most frustrating situations for fantasy managers with the No. 1 overall pick in some time. Reports stated that he was expected to play in Week 1. Then that became being held out for Week 1, then held out for longer, then placed on injured reserve with no real timeline to return.

So will Christian McCaffrey start for the San Francisco 49ers when he returns?

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Will Christian McCaffrey Start For The 49ers When He Returns?

Yes. His backup, Jordan Mason, certainly has played very well, and even third-stringer Isaac Guerendo has shown excellent potential, but McCaffrey is far more talented than either. He's one of the best running backs in the league when healthy. Head coach Kyle Shanahan wants to run the offense through him.

49ers QB from the NFC Championship game Christian McCaffrey runs for a 65 Yard Touchdown
pic.twitter.com/4QtPeae8bm

— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) September 10, 2023

He is the focal point of the rushing game and even part of the passing attack for this team and the engine through which the offense runs. He was unstoppable last year and was the RB1 in all fantasy scoring formats by a mile. He's one of the highest-paid backs in the league. His game is complete in every way.

There's currently no real timeline for his return. Fantasy managers will have to wait a bit longer. There's still a chance he could miss the rest of the season, but that's not been confirmed.

Christian McCaffrey Fantasy Football Outlook

Shanahan's insistence on using McCaffrey as much as humanly possible, even in garbage time or on third down and short, makes the RB an elite fantasy option that can't be benched. He had a streak of 17 straight games with a touchdown. His injury likely occurred because he was used too much.

THERES YOUR WEEKLY CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY TOUCHDOWN

15 STRAIGHT GAMES pic.twitter.com/wGavjfRmXR

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 15, 2023

Hopefully, for his health, his coach gives him fewer than 20 touches per game. It seems like an unsustainable pace and a great way to reaggravate his Achilles to not be somewhat conservative with his workload. Mason and Guerendo are perfectly capable of being productive and reducing his workload, keeping him fresher.

No matter what happens, you must start him when he plays if he's on your fantasy roster.

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