49ers urged to prepare for McCaffrey's latest injury cloud
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The San Francisco 49ers are facing an unsettling déjà vu as star running back Christian McCaffrey misses a fourth consecutive practice, this time on Sunday, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. The absence was initially reported by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio as stemming from "tightness" on Monday, but the team has kept the nature of the injury vague ever since. This lack of clarity is eerily reminiscent of the 2024 season, when a calf issue during training camp eventually revealed itself to be an Achilles problem. That ailment forced McCaffrey out until Week 10, and he played only four games before suffering a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve.
While the current situation may not be as severe—the 49ers could simply be exercising caution—the team should not ignore the possibility of a worst-case scenario. As of now, San Francisco appears unprepared for another extended absence by their star back. The 2024 season saw the 49ers’ rushing attack hold up reasonably well without McCaffrey, thanks to Jordan Mason, who rushed for a team-leading 789 yards in 12 games. The team finished 11th in the league in rushing yards per game (127.2). But Mason is now with the Minnesota Vikings, and the current depth chart offers little reassurance.
Third-year running back Isaac Guerendo remains on the physically unable to perform list due to a pectoral injury. Second-year back Jordan James fractured a rib early in training camp and has yet to return. Rookie Kaelon Black is battling a thigh/adductor issue that kept him out of the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans and Sunday’s practice. That left the 49ers with Patrick Taylor Jr. as the starter in the 19-13 loss to Tennessee. Taylor managed minus-five yards on five carries, a performance that did little to inspire confidence. Fellow backs Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert, and Zamir White combined for just 57 yards on 18 carries.
The 49ers might want to wait until James or Black recovers to evaluate who should be the RB2, but they should not rule out external options. Signing a veteran free agent like Austin Ekeler could provide a reliable safety net. Ekeler, who has amassed 4,765 rushing yards on 1,081 carries over nine seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders, would not be an elite starter but would offer proven depth. As the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams looms on September 10 in Melbourne (Netflix, 8:35 p.m. ET), the 49ers must decide whether to cross their fingers or take action.
Article commentary
The San Francisco 49ers’ current handling of Christian McCaffrey’s injury raises familiar red flags for a franchise that has learned the hard way that vague disclosures often precede serious setbacks. The 2024 saga—where a calf issue turned into an Achilles injury that cost McCaffrey most of the season—should have taught the organization that opacity is a liability. Yet here they are again, offering only "tightness" as an explanation for a star player missing four consecutive practices in August. The silence is not merely frustrating for fans; it undermines the team’s ability to plan effectively. On the surface, the 49ers’ injury report is a minefield. The running back room is decimated: Guerendo on PUP, James with a fractured rib, Black battling a thigh issue. The preseason performance of the remaining backs—Taylor’s minus-five yards, the collective 57 yards on 18 carries from McCormick, Herbert, and White—suggests that if McCaffrey misses time, the ground game could collapse. This is a team that prides itself on a physical, run-first identity, but that identity is fragile without its central figure. Critically, the 49ers appear to be in a holding pattern. They might be waiting for James or Black to heal, but that assumes those players are capable of handling RB1 duties. James has zero NFL carries, and Black is a rookie. The alternative is to look outside the roster. Austin Ekeler remains available, and while he is not the same explosive back he was three years ago, he would bring experience and reliability. His 4,765 rushing yards demonstrate durability, and his pass-catching ability would fit Kyle Shanahan’s system. The cost would be minimal, and the potential payoff—avoiding a complete offensive collapse—is significant. There is also a strategic dimension. The 49ers’ opener against the Rams is in Melbourne, a high-profile international game. Travel fatigue and time zone adjustments already complicate preparation. Adding a hobbled or absent McCaffrey to the mix could be disastrous. The front office must weigh the risk of signing a veteran who might not be needed against the risk of entering Week 1 without a functional backup. Given the team’s Super Bowl aspirations, the prudent move is to secure insurance now. Ultimately, the 49ers are playing a dangerous game of wait-and-see. The franchise has a history of injuries to key players, and this offseason’s lack of depth at running back is a self-inflicted wound. If McCaffrey’s issue proves minor, they will have wasted a roster spot. But if it is not, the cost of inaction could be a season derailed before it truly begins. The time to act is now, before the clarity of hindsight makes the decision obvious.