Week 7 was yet another reminder of the 49ers‘ reliance on Christian McCaffrey to drive their offense. The running back, with his 219 scrimmage yards, accounted for 62% of the team’s total. Kyle Shanahan would call it a reflection of the most consistent player, but deep down, another narrative lingers.

From Shanahan to LT Trent Williams, the 49ers collectively agree that they are a better team when putting the ball in the RB’s hands at every opportunity. The game plans have revolved around him, setting him on pace for 449 touches, which would be 46 more than his career-high. While that’s indeed working out well for the team, as evident in the 5-2 record, Shanahan has received a word of caution for over-reliance. 

“The 49ers have used McCaffrey to their advantage, but they also have risked injury to an oft-injured running back,” CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr wrote. 

After Week 7, McCaffrey ranks 12th in the league in rushing yards, eighth in receiving yards, first in yards from scrimmage (981), and first in touch (185). For the large part, he has done that without tight end George Kittle (hamstring), receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (ribs, ankle, shoulder), and Ricky Pearsall (knee). 

Not only has that forced him to play the role of a receiver a lot more, but also made him an obvious target for defenses, limiting his rushing yards. The RB hadn’t managed a single triple-digit rushing yard in the first six games, and then, an ESPN analysis showed how defensive teams are keying heavily on McCaffrey.

For instance, during the second quarter of the Week 3 game against Arizona, the Cardinals guessed that McCaffrey would run wide right, sending both inside linebackers to tackle him through the right C gap for a five-yard loss. At this stage, with key defenders and offensive players on the injury list, Shanahan cannot afford risking his most crucial player. 

Even after McCaffrey wished to come out of the play against the Flacons, Shanahan was complied to request him to stay for a third-and-long they had pre-planned.

“He actually tried to come out of the play, which we never allow. He came out a number of times again. We never sent him back once except for that play. I looked at him and said, ‘Go back as long as you’re not hurt. You knew the deal.’ And he went back,” the HC shared in the post-game press conference.

The last time the 49ers relied on McCaffrey, they took a trip to the Super Bowl and the 29-year-old won Offensive Player of the Year, but also ended up with bilateral Achilles tendonitis. While he did return later in the season, he went down yet again in Week 13 with a torn PCL. The injuries would limit McCaffrey to only four games for the 2024 season, forcing QB Brock Purdy to throw contested passes, Jauan Jennings to make contested catches, and the team to finish on a 5-8 record. 

For now, George Kittle is back in the lineup. In blocking for McCaffrey against the Falcons, the receiver helped the team to a 20-10 win, while the RB carved himself a spot in the record books. 

Christian McCaffrey joins Roger Craig with rare 49ers feat after 27 years

Returning from multiple injuries, Christian McCaffrey wasn’t expected to meet the bar he set in the 2023 season. But the running back has started proving otherwise. During the Week 7 game against the Falcons, the Colorado-based player had the best evening of his season. He recorded 31 touches for 201 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Moreover, with 129 rushing yards, he has become the first player to cross triple digits against the Falcons this season.

But more importantly, he ended up etching a franchise record.

With his 201 scrimmage yards, McCaffrey joined legendary Roger Craig to become the team’s only duo to record over 100 scrimmage yards in each of the first seven games. Craig had set that record all the way back in 1988. So maybe Shanahan wasn’t wrong in believing his RB could win ‘NFC Player of the Week’ this time around. 

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But while it’s been rainbows and sunshine for the five-time Super Bowl champion team, they must also focus on dividing the load.