As of August 2025, Christian McCaffrey is expected to play in the San Francisco 49ers' season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, despite a calf injury that has him listed as questionable. NFL insiders report that McCaffrey is trending toward playing, with team sources downplaying the severity of the injury.
Injury and Practice Participation: McCaffrey was limited in practice on Thursday and did not participate on Friday. However, he expressed feeling great, suggesting the injury is minor. This pattern of practice participation is typical for precautionary measures with star players.
Fantasy Outlook: If active, McCaffrey remains a top RB1 option given his historical performance against Seattle, averaging 109.7 rushing yards and one TD per game over six career matchups. However, the 49ers may limit his snaps, potentially increasing the roles of Brian Robinson Jr. and rookie Isaac Guerendo.
Strategic Implications: Fantasy managers should monitor inactives up to 90 minutes before kickoff. If McCaffrey plays, expect elite production but with a possible reduction in touch volume due to the 49ers' depth and his recent injury concerns.