San Francisco 49ers Running Back Christian McCaffrey to Miss Week 18

The San Francisco 49ers are making the most of having clinched the NFC's top seed. Speaking at his Monday media availability, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that the two-time Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey will miss Week 18's mostly meaningless season finale against the Los Angeles Rams due to a calf injury.

Kyle Shanahan says RB Christian McCaffrey has a mild calf strain and will miss the Week 18 regular season finale.
— Clayton Holloway (@HollowayNFLN) January 1, 2024

McCaffrey suffered a mild calf strain in Week 17's 27-10 win over the Washington Commanders, but the team does not appear overly concerned. He played 38 offensive snaps, compiling 64 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards. He did not touch the ball in the fourth quarter, but the game was already largely out of hand.

McCaffrey ends his season with 1459 rushing yards, 2023 yards from scrimmage, and 21 total touchdowns, all three of which lead the league through 17 weeks. Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert has a very real chance to surpass him in total touchdowns if he's healthy enough to play in Week 18, but McCaffrey's leads in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage are likely safe.

McCaffrey should garner near consensus All-Pro honours as the league's best running back come awards season, and he should benefit from a well-deserved rest over the next two weeks. The 49ers have already locked up homefield advantage and the bye, and they're right to begin prioritizing keeping their truly stacked roster healthy for the postseason. Keeping McCaffrey sidelined this week is a great start.