The 49ers’ first full week of training camp has already packed in more than enough drama, from injuries to free-agent additions to a sideline scuffle that barely lasted long but said plenty about the hierarchy in San Francisco.
The fight itself didn’t amount to much beyond raised tempers and a few extra shoves. But Dre Greenlaw’s reaction cut straight to the point. Asked what was going through his mind in the moment, the linebacker kept it simple: "You better not touch 23," he explained.
That line tells the whole story about Christian McCaffrey’s place in this offense. He isn’t just another star on a loaded roster. He’s the piece the 49ers can’t afford to lose, the one player who makes the whole thing hum when he’s healthy.
And San Francisco has already seen what happens when he isn’t. McCaffrey missed most of 2024, and the 49ers stumbled to a 6-11 finish - their only losing season since acquiring him.
Since arriving in San Francisco, he has been used like a true bellcow, often to the point that Kyle Shanahan has had a hard time taking him off the field. Last season, McCaffrey handled 413 touches.
Brian Robinson Jr., his backup, had just 100.
That depth is even thinner now. Robinson Jr. is gone, and Jordan James is already dealing with a fractured rib. So while the 49ers have plenty of big names around McCaffrey, the message from his teammates is clear: he’s the one they’re protecting.
Even with Brock Purdy, Mike Evans, and George Kittle in the mix, McCaffrey still stands out as the offense’s X-factor. The 49ers have also been forced to adjust after losing two receivers to injury, then signing Deebo Samuel, but the burden on McCaffrey doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. He has already piled up 236 catches since joining the Bay Area in 2022, and the passing-game role that has made him so dangerous figures to stay part of the plan.
At age 30 and with no running-back depth behind him, McCaffrey may be more essential now than at any point in his 49ers run. Training camp is still young, September is still out there, and August should bring a reset. But if Friday’s scuffle proved anything, it’s that everyone in that locker room knows exactly who the offense runs through.
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49ers Add Needed Depth Behind Christian McCaffrey After Playoff Exit
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Herbert was not the only addition on the defensive side of the ledger, either. The 49ers also agreed to a one-year deal with defensive lineman Titus Leo and brought in edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo for a workout, reminders that the front office is still sorting through ways to round out the roster before the next stage of the offseason takes hold. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Running Back Move Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Just Camp Depth
The 49ers made a pair of low-profile camp moves this week, adding a running back and a defensive lineman while trimming two names from the roster. It was the kind of transaction that usually gets filed away as August housekeeping, with the team trying to stay afloat through the grind of training camp and the injuries that tend to come with it.
But the need behind it is harder to ignore. San Francisco is dealing with issues at both running back and edge defender, and the additions are aimed at keeping those spots from getting too thin while camp pushes on. For a team that has spent years valuing backfield depth and defensive line rotation, even these seemingly minor moves can signal how quickly the roster picture is changing. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Still Hunting For Pass Rush Help After Latest Workouts
The 49ers are still taking a close look at ways to bolster their pass rush, bringing in three edge rushers for workouts as they sort through options for the defensive line. Andre Carter II, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Xavier Thomas all have NFL experience, and each offers a different kind of depth possibility for a group that can always use more help up front.
Okoronkwo has spent time with the Eagles and other teams, Carter has been with the Vikings and Raiders, and Thomas has had stints with the Cardinals and Texans. For San Francisco, the question now is less about name recognition than fit, as the team keeps evaluating which of these veteran additions could make the strongest case for a roster spot. [Read more 🡒]