The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for a pivotal Week 15 clash against the Tennessee Titans, sitting at 9-4 and looking to tighten the race in the NFC West. With both the Rams and Seahawks at 10-4, the pressure is on.
The Rams have a tough test in Detroit, while the Seahawks face a desperate Colts team led by Philip Rivers. For the Niners, this is more than just another game - it’s a chance to close the gap and set the tone heading into the final stretch of the season.
But just as momentum seemed to be building, the 49ers got a bit of a scare: Christian McCaffrey popped up on the injury report with a back issue. That’s not the kind of news you want heading into a must-win game.
Fortunately for San Francisco, it sounds like the concern may not be as serious as it initially appeared. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McCaffrey is expected to be “good to go” for Sunday’s matchup against Tennessee.
That’s a massive sigh of relief for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers’ offense. McCaffrey has been the engine of this attack all season long, even when the ground game hasn’t been as efficient as some might expect from a back of his caliber. He’s racked up 849 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 237 carries - solid numbers, but it’s his work in the passing game that’s truly set him apart.
Let’s put this in perspective: McCaffrey has hauled in 85 catches on 107 targets for 806 receiving yards and five touchdowns. That’s not just impressive for a running back - that’s elite production, period.
He ranks 18th in the entire league in receiving yards, ahead of names like A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf, and Davante Adams.
And when you compare him to his peers at the position? He’s outpacing the next closest running back, Bijan Robinson, by 122 yards.
In short, McCaffrey isn’t just a dual-threat - he’s a matchup nightmare. His ability to line up anywhere on the field and make plays as a runner or receiver gives the 49ers a level of versatility that few teams can match. That’s why any hint of injury, especially something as unpredictable as a back issue, is enough to raise eyebrows.
Back injuries can be tricky. They linger, they flare up, and they’re tough to manage on short notice.
So while the early word is that McCaffrey should be ready to suit up, this is a situation worth monitoring closely all the way up to kickoff. The 49ers will need every ounce of his explosiveness if they want to keep pace in the division and make a real push in the NFC playoff picture.
For now, though, it looks like CMC is on track to play - and that’s very good news for a 49ers team with everything still on the line.