It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster week for Christian McCaffrey - and not the kind 49ers fans want to be on this late in the season. The All-Pro running back has bounced on and off the injury report over the last few days, and now, just hours before kickoff against the Tennessee Titans, his status is officially up in the air.
Let’s break it down.
McCaffrey started the week with a standard veteran rest day on Wednesday - nothing unusual there. On Thursday, he was limited in practice due to an illness, but by Friday, he was back to full participation and cleared of any injury designation. At that point, it looked like business as usual for one of the NFL’s most dynamic offensive weapons.
Then came Saturday. The 49ers added McCaffrey back to the injury report, this time with a back issue.
He’s now listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup. That’s a significant development, especially considering McCaffrey has been a model of consistency and durability this season.
He hasn’t missed a game all year, and this is the first time he’s carried an injury designation since Week 1, when he was dealing with a calf issue.
What makes this even more intriguing is the timing. McCaffrey was a full participant in Friday’s practice - which suggests whatever back discomfort he's experiencing either flared up after practice or emerged Saturday morning. That kind of sudden appearance raises eyebrows, especially with how critical McCaffrey is to San Francisco’s offensive identity.
Let’s not forget what he’s done this season. Through 13 games, McCaffrey ranks third in the league in carries (237) and has racked up 849 rushing yards, good for 13th in the NFL.
He’s found the end zone eight times on the ground. But what really sets him apart is his dual-threat capability.
He’s fifth in the league in receptions (85), sits inside the top 20 in receiving yards (806), and is tied with George Kittle for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (5). That’s not just versatility - that’s elite production in both phases of the game.
So, what now?
The 49ers are set to face a struggling Titans squad sitting at 2-11. On paper, it’s a game San Francisco should control - even without McCaffrey.
But this late in the season, every decision carries playoff implications, especially when you're managing the health of your most valuable offensive player. If the back issue is minor, the team could opt to play it safe and hold him out as a precaution.
But if he’s truly good to go - as reported - we could still see No. 23 in uniform come Sunday.
Either way, it’s a situation worth watching closely. McCaffrey has been the engine of this offense all year, and if the 49ers want to make a deep postseason run, keeping him healthy is priority No. 1.