The San Francisco 49ers dynamic running back Christian McCaffrey is dealing with an injury, which could drastically impact the fantasy football landscape heading into Week 7. Here is the latest injury update we have on McCaffrey and the potential fantasy impact his injury could have on the 49ers’ offense.
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Latest News Surrounding Christian McCaffrey
The RB1 overall in fantasy football certainly gave managers a scare when he exited the game against the Cleveland Browns prematurely in Week 6 with an injury to his oblique/ribs.
Fortunately, a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggests that this injury doesn’t appear to be one that is likely to see McCaffrey miss an extended amount of time.
Will McCaffrey Play This Week?
Analysis Last Updated Saturday, October 21 at 4:30 PM ET
Update: After not practicing on Thursday and Friday, McCaffrey returned to practice on Saturday. In a clip provided by Matt Maiocco, McCaffrey can be seen running routes and looking spry. He will undoubtedly draw a questionable tag, but looks to be on the more optimistic side of things. Fantasy managers who roll the dice on McCaffrey will still need to have a backup plan in place just in case.
— Jason Katz, PFN Fantasy Analyst
This is the big question fantasy managers are seeking some clarity for heading into Sunday.
The 49ers are set to square off against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, which is going to put fantasy managers into a tough situation heading into this weekend.
Should you wait out McCaffrey’s situation into Monday in hopes that the best running back in all of fantasy football has a chance to get into your starting lineup?
Or, if McCaffrey is a game-time decision for MNF, do you play it safe by playing another option at running back to ensure you don’t get a zero-point performance from one of your fantasy players?
Fortunately, we aren’t having to make that decision today and have plenty of time to monitor his practice participation heading into Sunday.
However, if you understandably want to hold out hope until the very last moment for McCaffrey potentially playing on Monday night, then I would highly recommend formulating a backup plan just in case McCaffrey is unavailable for your fantasy team in Week 7.
Editor’s Note: According to a recent report from Nick Wagoner, McCaffrey is not going to practice on Thursday.
Editor’s Note: According to a recent report from Cam Inman, McCaffrey was spotted on the side field doing individual leg exercises while the 49ers were starting practice on Friday.
What Does This Mean for McCaffrey’s, Jordan Mason’s, and Elijah Mitchell’s Fantasy Ranking?
This all becomes very simple if McCaffrey is active in Week 7… You put him in your starting lineup, no questions asked. Even if he isn’t 100%, I won’t be ranking him outside my top five at the position if he suits up for Monday Night Football.
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On the other hand, if McCaffrey is ruled out against the Vikings, then Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell both become viable Flex options at the RB position.
The priority add for me would be Mason, who has found the end zone in two consecutive games. He will sneak inside my top 20 at the position if McCaffrey is unavailable.