One ridiculous stat perfectly highlights Christian McCaffrey's dominance
However, a stat posted by the 33rd Team helps highlight just how good McCaffrey is when healthy, and provides optimism for the 49ers about their 29-year-old RB as they gear up for training camp.
Last season McCaffrey played in only four games because of Achilles tendinitis and a knee injury that ultimately sidelined him for the season. In four games he managed only 348 total yards and no touchdowns. The down year pushed the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year all the way down to No. 73 on the NFL's Top 100 list for 2025. The 33rd Team pointed out that despite a down year in 2024, the larger sample size tells us McCaffrey is still one of the best dual-threat RBs in the sport:
This is exactly why the 49ers have and will continue to lean on McCaffrey as long as he's able to suit up for them.
His skill set as a runner is good, but it's his receiving prowess that separates him from the rest of the NFL. He's excellent both out of the backfield and when lining up in the slot. The danger he presents defenses forces them to dedicate additional resources to ensuring he's not getting wide open for easy throws and big runs after the catch. That threat gives head coach Kyle Shanahan additional avenues to expose weaknesses in a defense either with McCaffrey or with a player finding space opened because of the RB.
It's risky banking on a 29-year-old RB coming off an injury-riddled season. McCaffrey's stats with San Francisco help paint a picture of why the potential reward is worth that risk.
More 49ers: 49ers injury designations give disgruntled WR more leverage in contract talks
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