‘Real easy to put a lot on his plate’

McCaffrey’s ability to handle heavy workloads is well-known. In his impressive 2019 season, he carried the ball 403 times as a running back. However, his versatility as a receiver helps mitigate the wear and tear on his body. Throughout his career, McCaffrey has never had more than 300 carries in a single season (with the highest being 287 in 2019).

Since the beginning of the 2022 season, McCaffrey has played in 23 consecutive regular-season games. This is a significant improvement considering he missed 23 games due to injuries in the previous two seasons with the Panthers.

In Thursday’s practice (the first practice of the week for the 49ers before their Monday night game against Minnesota), McCaffrey did not participate. This is not unusual for him and head coach Shanahan described the running back’s status as “day to day” after an MRI. We will have a better idea of his availability for Monday night based on whether he practices on Friday.

Exactly one year has passed since the 49ers traded for McCaffrey. When asked about the impact of the acquisition, Shanahan emphasized how much McCaffrey has contributed to the team. He praised his dependability, reliability, and ability to learn not only the running back position but also other aspects of the game. McCaffrey’s work ethic and talent make him a great example for everyone on the team. Despite his success, he maintains a humble and hardworking mentality, treating each play as if it’s the most important one.