Niners Nation
When Kyle Shanahan has an opportunity to use Christian McCaffrey, he does not hold back.
It’s not certain that we will see San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey play this week. McCaffrey hasn’t suited up all season after suffering a calf strain turned Achillies tendinitis injury that predates the regular season, which is why the Niners have been careful about their star player.
McCaffrey’s return comes at a perfect time, as Jordan Mason hasn’t been 100 percent after an AC sprain in his left shoulder. At the same time, rookie Isaac Guerendo continues to take advantage of his opportunities.
The trio of running backs allows Kyle Shanahan to ease in McCaffrey. But how much can we expect Shanhan to “ease” in a player he said made third-down play-calling “as easy as I’ve had in my 20 years?”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes McCaffrey will hit the ground running with no limitations and suggests CMC should start in your fantasy league:
“If Christian McCaffrey plays for the 49ers this week, start him without any reservations. Sometimes you want to wait a week when a guy comes off an injury after not playing in a while, but Kyle Shanahan’s history with McCaffrey tells us that if his star running back is available, he is basically going to get all of the backfield work. The Niners wouldn’t bring McCaffrey back from Achilles tendinitis if they weren’t sure he could handle his normal workload. Also, the Buccaneers are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs and third most over the past four weeks.”
We don’t have evidence of McCaffrey under Shanahan coming off a severe injury. When McCaffrey was available, he was the offense. If you remember how heavy his workload was during the first month of the regular season last year — 108 touches through four games — then you know how eager Shanahan is to use CMC early and often.
Tampa Bay ranks tenth defensively in schedule-adjusted efficiency against the run but ranks 23rd in the same trick when it comes to running backs against the pass. The Buccaneers allow the fourth-most yardage to running backs through the air. Shanahan hasn't had the threat of McCaffrey all season, so it’s easy to understand why he’d spam targets to CMC against the Bucs' defense.
