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    Christian McCaffrey (tightness) still sidelined

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    49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (tightness) did not practice on Sunday.

    The 49ers do not have to disclose any details here, so we just have to wait until McCaffrey either tells us himself or retakes the practice field. The veteran running back has plenty of time to get right for Week 1. We are not overly concerned. He remains a high-end RB1 for the 2026 season, but we will provide an update whenever we get one.
Cronin talks Bears' season outlook, stadium move
Courtney Cronin joins Tony Reali to discuss the Chicago Bears potentially moving home games to Hammond, Indiana in the future and this season's outlook with a high-caliber offense.

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  • SF Running Back #23
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    We’ll assume the vague categorization means there’s not much to worry about. It was reported in May that the 49ers wanted to be “cautious” with McCaffrey’s summer workload as he ramps up for the season, so it’s possible there’s a little bit of load management going on here while McCaffrey works through this “tightness.” The 49ers have seen several notable players go down due to injuries early in camp. Hopefully this is a non-issue for CMC, and we see him back on the practice field soon.
  • SF Running Back #23
    McCaffrey practiced with the team on Wednesday. He was held out of team drills on Thursday and worked on his conditioning on a side field instead. Late in March, coach Kyle Shanahan said he wants less “wear and tear” on McCaffrey this season. The plan to reduce wear and tear may be limited to the practice week. McCaffrey told reporters today that he thinks “the workload in our sport is really monitored in practice, not in games,” and that he likes to prepare himself “for playing every snap.” McCaffrey posted a league-leading and career-high 413 touches last season. If sitting out practices regularly allows him to handle a similar workload this season, he will once again compete for the overall RB1 spot in fantasy.
  • SF Running Back #23
    It’s not the first time we’ve heard this, and it certainly won’t be the last, but it’s understandable that Shanny would want to dial back McCaffrey’s workload this season. The star running back is entering his age-30 season and coming off a 2025 in which he saw a career-high 311 carries while rushing for 1,202 yards and 10 scores. McCaffrey also caught 102 passes for 924 yards and another seven touchdowns, turning in one of his best seasons as a pro while eclipsing 2,000 scrimmage yards for the third time in his career. It’s possible the 49ers find a way to delegate more work to second-year back Jordan James or a player not yet on the roster, but this shouldn’t change how we view McCaffrey’s fantasy stock this season. As long as he’s healthy, CMC remains one of the most dynamic weapons in the league and should see plenty of touches funneled his way, making him one of the most valuable assets in all formats.
  • SF Wide Receiver
    Wagoner prefaced the statement by revealing that in the first meeting between 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and Evans, “Shanahan laid out the plan for how he will be incorporated into an offense that also includes” RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle and QB Brock Purdy. McCaffrey’s 95 red zone touches in the 2025 regular season led all 49ers players by 79 and all other NFL players by 21. Knowing that Shanahan is already scheming up red zone opportunities for Evans is great to hear. McCaffrey can also lose a few red zone touches and still remain an elite RB1. There should be more than enough opportunities in scoring position for both players to feast. Evans currently projects as a WR2 with double-digit touchdown upside.
  • SF Running Back #23
    McCaffrey astonishingly handled a career-high 413 touches in his age-29 season, totaling 102 receptions, 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns. To say he deserves this award is an understatement. He notably won the Offensive Player of the Year award in 2023.
  • SF Running Back #23
    He gutted through a stinger in this one, leaving briefly at the start of the second half and (obviously) again late as the 49ers fell to pieces. This is one of the great fantasy seasons of recent memory at running back, mostly because it was actually a great wideout season for McCaffrey. He caught 102 balls for 924 yards and seven scores, starting all 17 games – it was his best receiving output since 2019’s 116/1005/4 stat line. He led the NFL with 413 regular season touches and added 21 against the Eagles and 16 here. McCaffrey actually performed pretty poorly as a runner this year, with minus-27.9 rushing EPA and a minus-0.5 rushing yards over expected per attempt that was fourth-worst among all qualified rushers. His special skill set leaves him more than capable of being a fantasy RB1 – maybe even No. 1 overall – in 2026. But the touches and the injury history will continue to make him a caveat emptor all-star.
  • SF Running Back #23
    Again middling on the ground, McCaffrey was again sensational through the air, catching touchdown passes from both Brock Purdy and Jauan Jennings. The latter was a 29-yard trick play (obviously) strike that required McCaffrey to make an acrobatic grab at the goal line. McCaffrey’s rushing efficiency is in undeniable decline, but his receiving becomes even more of a Divisional Round X-factor with George Kittle (Achilles) lost for the season. We have no doubt coach Kyle Shanahan will do everything he can to put CMC in position to make plays through the air.
  • SF Running Back #23
    He was the target on Brock Purdy’s one pick, a double-tipped ball that both Boye Mafe and McCaffrey combined to bat into Drake Thomas’ arms. The 49ers surprisingly couldn’t find much easy here, needing to resort to flea flickers to even get McCaffrey shallow zone looks. McCaffrey finishes the regular season with 2,126 total yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns. The 49ers will look to get him more involved on the road in the NFC Wild Card round.
  • SF Running Back #23
    The 49ers had a walkthrough Tuesday and McCaffrey was listed as out with a back injury. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reports the 29-year-old running back’s back is “a little stiff.” Trainers tended to CMC’s back in the fourth quarter of the win over the Bears in Week 17, with McCaffrey returning to finish the game. With Lynch saying that he’s trending towards playing, fantasy managers can expect McCaffrey to be available in Week 18. Brian Robinson is the clear handcuff to roster if anything changes.
  • SF Running Back #23
    The 49ers will conduct a walkthrough today, though McCaffrey will not participate. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that McCaffrey’s back is “a little stiff.” Trainers tended to McCaffrey’s back between drives, late in the fourth quarter during the 49ers’ Week 17 win over the Bears. He returned and played effectively. We expect him to do so this week as well, though backup RB Brian Robinson must be rostered wherever he is available.

Rotoworld

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    ESPN’s Turron Davenport reports that Titans OC Brian Daboll’s intent to improve on third down was a “key reason” for signing WR Wan’Dale Robinson.

    Davenport penned a lengthy piece detailing how OC Brian Daboll is focused on developing QB Cam Ward’s play on third down, in the red zone and in the two-minute drill. This is pretty straightforward. Those are all high-leverage situations, so harping on Ward’s performance there makes sense. Robinson played on all three drives in the Titans’ first preseason game while veteran Calvin Ridley was on the field for one. Rookie WR Carnell Tate was on the field for the first and third drives. It is tough to get a read on Robinson’s status in the starting wide receiver trio, but a featured role on third downs could help him return FLEX value if Tate and Ridley take the Nos. 1 and 2 roles, respectively.
  • MIN Linebacker #32
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Vikings LB Jamal Adams suffered a season-ending knee injury in Saturday’s preseason game against the Giants.

    Adams, 30, has had some tough injury luck over the course of his career. This is very unfortunate. Adams was set to play on a one-year, $1.3 million contract this season. He totaled 38 tackles, seven quarterback pressures and one sack with the Raiders last year.
  • FA Defensive End #92
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    Free agent DE Marcus Davenport worked out for the Bears on Sunday.

    Davenport, 29, totaled just seven quarterback pressures and one sack for the Lions last year. He is likely best suited to a rotational role at this point. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs notes that Davenport began his career with the Saints in 2018, playing for the Bears’ current defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen.
  • CHI Running Back #25
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Bears RB Kyle Monangai (knee) is believed to be “fine” after undergoing initial testing.

    According to Schefter, initial tests indicate Monangai’s knee is structurally sound. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI to confirm the results, but it sounds like Monangai avoided suffering a consequential injury. This is great news for the second-year back, who warrants standalone FLEX treatment if his knee checks out. Starting RB D’Andre Swift can easily shoulder a few extra touches if Monangai needs to be eased into action next month.
  • LV Wide Receiver #85
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    Raiders signed WR Noah Brown, formerly of the Commanders.

    Brown, 30, dealt with knee, groin and rib injuries last season. He profiles as a rotational player at this point in his career, but the Raiders’ wide receiver depth chart is fairly thin. He is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant, though he can help out at the team level. The Raiders correspondingly released DT Benito Jones.
  • PIT Running Back #13
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    FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano believes RB Rico Dowdle “should end up as the workhorse in the Steelers’ backfield” this year.

    Recent reporting from ESPN suggests the Steelers will employ a run-heavy approach this season. Vacchiano agrees and adds that Steelers coach Mike McCarthy believes Dowdle could help the team produce a strong running game this season. That said, Vacchiano also said that Dowdle and RB Jaylen Warren could form “a potent tandem,” so Vacchiano may only be indicating that Dowdle will be the team’s primary rusher while Warren changes the pace and plays on passing downs. Both players sit in the fringe RB2/FLEX barrel right now.
  • CHI Offensive Lineman #75
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    Bears activated OT Ozzy Trapilo (knee) from the physically unable to perform list on Sunday.

    Trapilo even resumed practicing today. This is quite an accomplishment. Trapilo suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in the Bears’ Wild Card Round win over the Packers last year. He was expected to be sidelined “deep into next year,’ per general manager Ryan Poles, but Trapilo’s recovery has apparently gone very well. Trapilo proved himself as a capable pass protector and run blocker. He may need a while to ramp up, but the Bears are currently hosting a competition for the left tackle job. Veteran OT Braxton Jones has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, but coach Ben Johnson recently said he could resume practicing this week. He got in one limited session last week.
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    49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (tightness) did not practice on Sunday.

    The 49ers do not have to disclose any details here, so we just have to wait until McCaffrey either tells us himself or retakes the practice field. The veteran running back has plenty of time to get right for Week 1. We are not overly concerned. He remains a high-end RB1 for the 2026 season, but we will provide an update whenever we get one.
  • CHI Running Back #25
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    Bears RB Kyle Monangai left practice early on Sunday after suffering an apparent right knee injury.

    According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, Monangai “got tangled up” with DT Grady Jarrett when the injury occurred. The second-year running back was able to walk off the field and into the locker room under his own power. The fact that the cart was not needed might be a good sign, but unfortunately, we are simply in wait-and-see mode for the time being. Bears RBs Roschon Johnson and Brittain Brown sit on the depth chart behind him. Starting RB D’Andre Swift could absorb a big chunk of Monangai’s workload if he misses time.
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    49ers TE George Kittle (Achilles) said he is “nearing a return to practice” and has “a chance” to play in Week 1 against the Rams.

    Kittle is “very confident” he will be activated from the active/PUP list before Week 1, meaning he should resume playing sometime in Weeks 1-4. The veteran tight end has not yet resumed practicing, but “hinted he’d be back at practice shortly but declined to give a timeline,” per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. Kittle said that he is running “a lot” and hitting top speeds while doing so. The 49ers are scheduled to fly out for the Week 1 game in Melbourne, Australia roughly one week before the game. Kittle said that the next couple of weeks will determine whether he joins his teammates on that flight. From the way Kittle is discussing his recovery, it almost sounds like he expects to play in Week 2 at the latest, though that is purely an interpretive conclusion. Whether Kittle returns to form as a post-catch dominator remains to be seen, but the 32-year-old remains a top-12 player at his position at this time.