The San Francisco 49ers added running back Christian McCaffrey to the injury list on Saturday (back). The star rusher is now listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. If McCaffrey is unable to play, this would be his first game missed this season.

McCaffrey missed practice on Thursday due to an illness, but returned to practice on Friday. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, "Reporters saw McCaffrey at the very start of practice, but after about 10 minutes, he was no longer participating. (He didn't look terrific in the locker room after practice either)."



The back issue appears to be a new thing. The severity of the injury has not been reported, and likely won't be until Head Coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media after Sunday's game. But with four critical games upcoming, three of which are against potential playoff teams, the 49ers will need their superstar running back down the stretch. Given the struggles of the team (Tennessee) that they are playing on Sunday, it might behoove the 49ers to sit McCaffrey and give him another week to heal.

McCaffrey has not missed a game this season, unlike last season when he played in only four games due to Achilles and knee injuries. The 2023 Offensive Player of the Year has had another season worthy of that honor in 2025 (and may also be in line to be named "Comeback Player of the Year"). This season, McCaffrey has rushed for 849 yards and has added 806 receiving yards. Being that he is only 151 rushing yards and 194 receiving yards away from being the first player in NFL history with two 1,000/1,000 seasons, McCaffrey and the 49ers would love to have him available. But winning games will be more important to both the player and the team.

NFL insider Adam Schefter added this on Saturday afternoon: "Despite being added to the injury report today as questionable due to a back injury, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is expected to be 'good to go' Sunday vs. the Titans, per source."


McCaffrey could be a game-time decision on Sunday. If he is unable to play, backup RB Brian Robinson will be in line to start his first game with San Francisco. The former Washington Commander has only 328 yards rushing in 2025, but he is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, a full yard more than McCaffrey.

Written By:

Marc Adams


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