Christian McCaffrey Gets Honest On His Usage This Season

Christian McCaffrey has been a key contributor to the San Francisco 49ers’ success early in the 2023 NFL season.

The former Stanford standout has 42 carries for 268 yards and two touchdowns in the Niners’ two-game winning streak to open their campaign.

While advancing the chains on the ground is his primary role, he is also a weapon in the 49ers’ passing game.

As a receiver, he has six catches for 36 yards this season.

His usage rate is high, given that he is a threat in both facets of the 49ers’ offense.

However, he doesn’t mind getting limited rest, per Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams via 95.7 The Game’s Alex Espinoza.

“It’s really such a situational thing. I don’t think it’s ever a plan for us to get all the carries or not. It’s just sometimes that’s just how the games go,” McCaffrey shared with Espinoza.

Christian McCaffrey unconcerned about heavy workload. https://t.co/HsBHSrRFDd

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 20, 2023

Williams noted that McCaffrey played 58 of San Francisco’s 68 offensive snaps during their 2023 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

A week later, he played in all 57 snaps against the Los Angeles Rams.

It’s the 15^th time in his career that he played all snaps on offense.

While putting up impressive numbers, the 49ers must monitor McCaffrey’s usage because of his injury history.

He played only three games in the 2020 season due to ankle and shoulder injuries.

A year later, a hamstring injury limited him to seven games.

Despite those concerns, playing 20 games last season (playoffs included) is a positive sign that he’s ready for the heavy grind.