49ers should start preparing for this Christian McCaffrey scenario

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

49ers should start preparing for worst-case Christian McCaffrey scenario

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Aug 17, 2026 8:11 AM ET

The San Francisco 49ers should begin taking a closer look at their backfield, especially if star running back Christian McCaffrey misses more practices.

McCaffrey missed a fourth consecutive practice on Sunday, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the initial absence on Monday was attributed to "tightness." The undisclosed injury has remained vague since it was first reported.

This situation parallels the one in 2024, in which McCaffrey missed most of training camp with a calf injury. It turned out to be an Achilles issue that sidelined him until Week 10 of that season. The RB played just four games before suffering a knee injury and landing on injured reserve.

Now that's not to say McCaffrey's latest issue is as severe. It may be just a minor injury, and the team is holding him out as a precaution. But that shouldn't preclude San Francisco from preparing for another worst-case scenario. As things stand, the 49ers aren't.

49ers starting final open practice of camp

Back in pads:
Dre Greenlaw

No sign of
RG Dom Puni
WR Demarcus Robinson
DT Gracen Halton

Still DNP:
Bosa
McCaffrey
James
Black
White
Mustapha pic.twitter.com/HuqodGL907
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 16, 2026

Why the 49ers aren't prepared for the worst-case Christian McCaffrey scenario

The last time three-time first-team All-Pro McCaffrey missed multiple games, the 49ers' rushing attack actually didn't suffer that much. Fifth-year RB Jordan Mason (now with the Minnesota Vikings) assumed RB1 duties quite nicely, rushing for a team-leading 789 yards in 12 games. The team finished 11th in the league in rushing yards (127.2 per game).

San Francisco may not benefit from similar backfield depth in 2026. Third-year RB Isaac Guerendo remains on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list because of a pectoral injury. He and McCaffrey aren't the only 49ers RBs battling injuries.

Second-year RB Jordan James fractured his rib at the beginning of training camp and hasn't returned. Rookie Kaelon Black, meanwhile, is battling a thigh/adductor issue, which forced him to miss the team's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans and Sunday's practice.

Patrick Taylor Jr. started in the 19-13 loss to Tennessee but struggled, rushing for minus-five yards on five carries. Fellow RBs Sincere McCormick, Khalil Herbert and Zamir White weren't much better, combining for 57 yards on 18 carries.

The 49ers may want to wait until James or Black gets healthy to see who the RB2 should be. Still, they shouldn't rule out signing another RB in free agency, perhaps Austin Ekeler, who has 4,765 rushing yards on 1,081 carries in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders.

A veteran RB like Ekeler wouldn't be an elite option. Still, he would provide more insurance for McCaffrey, who may not be 100 percent heading into the Niners' regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10 in Melbourne (Netflix, 8:35 p.m. ET).

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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