ChristianMcCaffrey

News: 3 days agoMcCaffrey carried the ball 13 times for 55 yards and caught six of seven targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Saints.

Spin: With the 49ers' offense missing a number of key players, including Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder), George Kittle (hamstring) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee), McCaffrey put the team on his back and carried it to a second straight victory to begin the season. His seven-yard TD reception from Mac Jones just before halftime was McCaffrey's first score of the year, but he's topped 100 scrimmage yards in both of the Niners' games so far. In Week 3, he'll take aim at a Cardinals defense he didn't face during an injury-plagued 2024, but which he lit up for an incredible 364 combined yards and seven total touchdowns in their two 2023 meetings.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: McCaffrey returns for his age-29 season eyeing a bounce-back after an injury-plagued 2024 that limited him to three full games. McCaffrey wasn't even his usual, elite self during those weeks (13.0 fantasy PPG), though he did play 88% of the snaps and average 18.7 touches per game. Prior to the 2024 debacle, McCaffrey had finished six straight seasons ranked in the top 5 among RBs in fantasy PPG and he remains positioned for feature back duties in a good 49ers offense. There's obvious risk here considering the injury woes and age, but in weeks he's active McCaffrey will be an elite fantasy option.