While Kyle Shanahan admitted Christian McCaffrey is not fond of exiting games, the 49ers coach said it's the team's job to make sure the running back is protected.
Three-time Pro Bowler Christian McCaffrey is the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. The San Francisco 49ers have relied on the star running back since the team acquired him in a trade in 2022. His 339 touches led the NFL last season, but McCaffrey is no stranger to handling the physical toll that comes with being a high-usage player. He has averaged at least 19.4 touches per game over the past six seasons. But the Madden 2024 cover athlete could see a lighter workload in 2024.
McCaffrey celebrated his 28th birthday last month. During that same month, the Niners rewarded him with a contract extension that would keep him with the franchise through the 2027 season. Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers' head coach, acknowledged McCaffrey's importance to the team and noted that protecting the league's highest-paid running back next season will be a priority.
When you are such a threat in the pass game, it's a little bit different,' Shanahan added. 'But if he's just taking the wear and tear with 20 carries and stuff every game — and he's definitely good enough to do that, and he has proved he can stay healthy — but you'd like to take some of that off of him and give it to other guys also.' Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
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