Fantasy Football News

Christian McCaffrey sat out practice with 'tightness,' according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Fantasy managers have reason to notice it, but the 49ers are not concerned.

The 49ers drafted Indiana RB Kaelon Black in Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Black spent his first two seasons at James Madison, emerging as a sophomore with 891 total yards and a 27-254-4 receiving line. He followed HC Curt Cignetti to Indiana and, after a quiet 2024, earned a larger role last fall. Black held the 1B role behind fellow prospect Roman Hemby, posting 186-1040-10 (5.6 yards per carry). He was a non-factor in the passing game, though, mustering only 4 receptions for 36 yards. Overall, Black presents adequate size (5’9, 208 pounds) and a low pad level that helps him fight through contact. He posted a solid 3.47 yards after contact per attempt in 2025. Still, this is a surprising selection considering Black wasn't invited to the NFL Combine. He was graded by The Athletic's Dane Brugler as a 5th-6th round value.

The 49ers might be preparing to hand a high-value job to a player with little NFL experience. According to The Athletic's Matt Barrows, second-year RB Jordan James "appears to be the frontrunner to be the top backup this season." San Francisco drafted James in the fifth round last year, but an injury-plagued summer kept him from competing for a regular-season roster spot. James didn't touch the ball until the playoff loss to Seattle (six carries and one catch at the end of a blowout).

49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is inactive for tonight's game vs. the Seahawks. It's a surprise after he played last week and got in three limited practices this week. Pearsall's absence leaves Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson as San Francisco's No. 2 and 3 WRs -- and should mean more targets for RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle, and WR Jauan Jennings.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (back) is not listed on the final injury report for Saturday night’s game vs. the Seahawks. He took Tuesday off but put in a limited practice on Wednesday and was a full participant on Thursday. CMC will be ready for his usual workhorse role with the NFC West title on the line.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (back) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. We haven't sensed any concern about his availability for Saturday night's game vs. the Seahawks. Unless we hear otherwise, expect a full workload for CMC in that one.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey missed Tuesday's practice with what he called back stiffness. "Nothing serious," he added. McCaffrey popped up with a back issue prior to Week 15 but wound up playing his usual high-volume role in that one. He should be available for Saturday night's game for the NFC West title vs. the Seahawks, but we'll keep you posted on his status leading up to that one.

49ers QB Brock Purdy went 25/34 for 295 yards and 5 TDs with RB Christian McCaffrey going 21-117-0 on the ground and 6-29-2 on 8 targets through the air. The 49ers team put up 48 points on the Colts with Purdy tossing every TD except a late fourth-quarter pick-six from the defense. The 49ers' offense helped elevate playoff fantasy teams to make comebacks and could be league winners next week against the Bears.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (back) is active for today’s game vs. the Titans. He was added to the injury report as questionable on Saturday, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported a short time later that McCaffrey would be “good to go” for this one. We haven’t heard anything about his snaps or touches being limited today. McCaffrey remains a must-start.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (back) is "expected to be good to go" for tomorrow's game vs. the Titans, ESPN's Adam Scheft reports. Exhale! We'll look for further updates on McCaffrey's status, but he can stay penciled into Week 15 fantasy lineups for now.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey has been added to the injury report with a back issue and is now questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. We don't have any other details at this point. McCaffrey has no noted history of back trouble. We'll of course keep you updated on his status. But RB Brian Robinson would turn into a strong fantasy play if McCaffrey misses tomorrow's game and needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

The forecast for today's 49ers-Browns game calls for sustained winds of 25 mph with gusts around 35 mph. The total in this game has dropped from 42.5 to 35.5. Expect a run-heavy game plan from both sides. RBs Christian McCaffrey and Quinshon Judkins can stay in fantasy lineups. TE George Kittle is the only comfortable play from either passing game. Avoid the kickers.

No one can complain about Christian McCaffrey's fantasy output after he racked up 3 TDs (two rushing, one receiving) in Sunday's win over the Cardinals. But it's worth noting that he's ceding rushing work to No. 2 RB Brian Robinson Jr. That included garnering eight carries for 24 yards in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.

Mac Jones filled in at QB once again for the San Francisco 49ers, who traveled to MetLife Stadium and handled the New York Giants 34-24. The 49ers' offense once again was led by RB Christian McCaffrey, who led the team in rushing and receiving. McCaffrey touched the ball 33 times, compiled 173 scrimmage yards, and scored a pair of TDs, one rushing and one receiving.

If you're wondering what the heck happened to Christian McCaffrey in Week 8, then here's the relative good news: nothing bad. The 49ers RB didn't get hurt in Sunday's loss to the Texans. He just also didn't get a whole lot else. McCaffrey rushed eight times for 25 yards and managed only 3 receptions for 43 yards on six targets. The biggest issue for McCaffrey in Week 8: His team stunk.

49ers QB Brock Purdy (toe) and WRs Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) have all been ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Rams. It doesn't sound like any of their injuries are serious, but the short week did them no favors. We'll see if they can make it back for Week 6. QB Mac Jones makes another start vs. the Rams this week. He played well in Week 2 and 3 starts, completing 66% of his passes at 7.0 yards per attempt with 4 TDs vs. 1 INT. He'll be working with a rag tag group of pass catchers on Thursday night, though. The WR corps figures to be led by Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, and Skyy Moore, while Jake Tonges again leads the TE room. We'd try not to mess with any of these guys in Week 5 fantasy lineups. RB Christian McCaffrey will be very busy yet again.

49ers WR Jauan Jennings (ankle, shoulder) will not play vs. the Cardinals this afternoon, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. So San Francisco will be without Jennings, WR Brandon Aiyuk, and TE George Kittle. Expect RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Ricky Pearsall to be the focal points of the offense. It'll be WRs Kendrick Bourne, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Russell Gage, and Skyy Moore behind Pearsall.

49ers QB Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) is a "long shot" to play vs. the Saints this weekend, HC Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday. Shanahan added that Purdy could be looking at a multi-week absence. SI's Grant Cohn hears that the team is expecting Purdy to miss two games. His absence will leave QB Mac Jones under center.

The 49ers placed TE George Kittle on Injured Reserve. Kittle will miss a minimum of 4 games.