"No sense in worrying about the workload of the 49ers' indestructible Christian McCaffrey. Not after 303 rushes (for 1,179 yards), 96 receptions (for 890 yards) and 17 touchdowns. Coach Kyle Shanahan has fielded questions ever since McCaffrey arrived three seasons ago about the running back's workload. As much as Shanahan would like to spell McCaffery and his 29-year-old body, which features a "stiff" back that has him on the injury list this week, the coach simply can't bring himself to do it."
"If all goes according to plan, McCaffrey will handle the ball more than any non-quarterback in the playoff field. He'll be the prime mover if the 49ers hope to beat Seattle Saturday (ABC/ESPN, 5 p.m.) at Levi's Stadium and earn the NFC's No. 1 seed, which would give them a first-round bye and the possibility of never leaving their home en route to their sixth Lombardi Trophy - and first since the 1994 season."
"2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia: It's been a slog for Barkley running the ball as it has for McCaffery, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. But he lit up the postseason a year ago and has begun to break free of late. 3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle: He's been Sam Darnold's target 155 times (the next highest is 67) with league-leading totals of 1,709 yards and 74 first downs, and also has 10 TD catches. He's the most dangerous receiver in the playoff field."
Christian McCaffrey produced 303 rushes for 1,179 yards, 96 receptions for 890 yards and 17 touchdowns. Coach Kyle Shanahan has wanted to spell McCaffrey but has not done so despite McCaffrey's 29-year-old body and a 'stiff' back that placed him on the injury list this week. McCaffrey is expected to handle the ball more than any non-quarterback in the playoff field and will be the 49ers' prime mover in their game against Seattle for the NFC's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. A ranking lists McCaffrey as the most important non-quarterback remaining and cites his opening-drive lost fumble in Super Bowl LVIII as likely motivation.
Read at The Mercury News
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