49ers Are Load-Managing Christian McCaffrey in Camp — Don't Panic
McCaffrey is 'a little sore' but fine, per the 49ers, who are throttling his reps after a league-leading 413 touches in 2025.
Soreness plus a light camp is smart management, not a red flag.
- Led NFL with 413 touches in 2025
- 311 carries, 1,202 rush yds, 10 rush TD in 2025
- 102 catches, 924 rec yds, 7 rec TD in 2025
- Our RB1 overall entering 2026
- 37 more touches across two 2025 playoff games
Christian McCaffrey missed a session, and half of fantasy Twitter reached for the panic button. Relax. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak told reporters the 49ers are simply managing McCaffrey's workload, describing him as a little sore but doing fine. An off day for a 30-year-old back who logged a league-high 413 touches last season isn't a warning — it's a plan.
The numbers explain the caution. In 2025, McCaffrey ran it 311 times for 1,202 yards and 10 scores, then added 102 catches for 924 yards and seven more touchdowns across 17 games. Pile on 37 postseason touches in two January games, and you've got a workhorse the 49ers have every reason to wrap in bubble wrap through August.
Kubiak stressed that McCaffrey has a set rep count every camp and that the team's schedule tweaks are designed to keep veterans from stacking too many off days. On his rep load specifically, Kubiak said they're right where they want to be and that a player like McCaffrey has to be monitored and pointed toward Week 1, not August.
What It Actually Means
San Francisco has been hammered by camp injuries this summer, some far more serious than a sore veteran back taking a maintenance day. That context matters: this is a healthy player getting a scheduled breather, not a body breaking down. The 49ers spent all of 2025 leaning on McCaffrey, and they know exactly how much tread is on the tires.
The one thing worth filing away: his form slipped late. Over his final five games last season, McCaffrey averaged 3.4 fantasy points below his 2025 season pace. That's not alarming for a back with his usage, but combined with the age-30 timeline, it's why the 49ers are pacing him now rather than grinding him in exhibition reps.
The Fantasy Takeaway
He's still our RB1 overall for 2026, and nothing here changes that. If you're drafting, McCaffrey is a top-two pick, full stop — camp maintenance days don't move him. If you already own him, hold and ignore the noise until there's an actual injury designation. Keep an eye on his reps as Week 1 approaches, but for now the only correct move is to do nothing.
