Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers got back on track in Week 5, jumping to 4-1 on the 2025 NFL season after a 26-23 overtime win over Matthew Stafford and NFC West foe Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. With starting quarterback Brock Purdy out for yet another game, backup quarterback Mac Jones stepped up and led the 49ers to the game-winning drive in overtime.
McCaffrey, coming off an injury-riddled 2024, has had a strong start to his ninth NFL season. Last year, he was forced to miss the first eight games of the season with bilateral Achilles tendinitis. He played in four games upon his return, but then suffered a PCL sprain that ended his season. To begin 2025, McCaffrey has tallied 282 yards on the ground and a team-high 39 catches for 387 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
In Week 6, the 49ers will look for their second straight win, hitting the road to face Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. However, despite McCaffrey being a full participant in practice leading up to the Rams game, San Francisco elected to rest the four-time All-Pro for Wednesday's practice session.
This is likely just a precautionary measure from the 49ers, especially after McCaffrey has dealt with injuries over the past couple of seasons. He was even forced to miss most of training camp with a calf injury. But, outside of Week 5, San Francisco has elected to rest the running back in each Wednesday practice session.
Along with McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams also sat out of practice due to rest.
49ers injuries
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 8, 2025
No practice
Brock Purdy (toe)
Ricky Pearsall (knee)
Jauan Jennings (ankle, rib)
Alfred Collins (knee)
Yetur Gross-Matos (knee, hamstring)
Jordan Watkins (calf)
Robert Beal (ankle)
Trent Williams (rest)
Christian McCaffrey (rest)
But it seems likely the rest day for McCaffrey is nothing to fear for 49ers fans, as the former Stanford Cardinal star opened up about facing Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte Davis once again.
"I'm sick of him, man," McCaffrey said. "I'm sick of him. Nah, he's a hell of a player. Always brings a big challenge and just somebody that has always played the game the right way. And to my opinion, doesn't get enough credit. Once again, just their whole defense and guys like him, when you have a veteran like that, they spark a lot of challenges that you got to be ready for."
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