The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for their Week 15 matchup against the Tennessee Titans after a well-timed bye week. As the team prepares, one question looms large for fantasy football managers: Will star running back Christian McCaffrey be available for the game?
McCaffrey has notably been healthy throughout the entire 2025 season. He wasn’t listed in the injury report earlier in the week but emerged as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. This downgrade can often raise alarms among fantasy managers, especially considering McCaffrey’s injury history; in 2024, he missed 13 games due to a calf injury and a PCL sprain.
Despite the concern, there appears to be no reason for alarm this week. McCaffrey is simply dealing with a mild illness and is at no risk of missing the game against the Titans. The dynamic running back has been productive this season, currently ranking fifth in the NFL with 85 catches and third with 237 carries, amassing a total of 1,655 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns.
Though he is dealing with an illness, McCaffrey is expected to return to full activity in practice on Friday to avoid further designation for Sunday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and his team come off their bye week feeling rejuvenated, and McCaffrey himself enjoyed quality time with his young daughter while also taking the opportunity to recharge following an extensive 322 touches through 13 games.
From a fantasy perspective, McCaffrey remains a valuable asset. Despite a challenging season in terms of rushing yardage—averaging just 3.6 yards per carry—he’s shown resilience, with four rushing touchdowns over the past three games. His receiving capabilities have also been a significant asset; he has at least four targets in every game this season, finishing November with a record of catching 29 out of 33 targets.
With the 49ers facing one of the weaker teams in the NFL this week, fantasy managers have reason to feel optimistic. McCaffrey’s health and the high-scoring potential of the upcoming matchup position him as a strong play, making this a promising scenario for fantasy football enthusiasts heading into the final stretch of the season.