49ers Aim to Limit Christian McCaffrey's Workload Next Season

Head coach Kyle Shanahan says the team will focus on managing the star running back's playing time to avoid injuries.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:37pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of red and gold, the colors of the San Francisco 49ers.The 49ers' plan to limit star running back Christian McCaffrey's workload next season aims to keep him fresh and healthy for a deep playoff push.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers had a rash of injuries across the roster last season, including to key players like Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Nick Bosa. Head coach Kyle Shanahan says the team will focus on managing star running back Christian McCaffrey's workload next season to avoid similar issues, providing him more rest and limiting his overall wear and tear.

Why it matters

McCaffrey was a bright spot for the 49ers last season, but the team's injury woes highlighted the need to carefully manage the workload of their top offensive weapons. Keeping McCaffrey healthy and fresh will be crucial to the 49ers' chances of returning to the playoffs in 2026.

The details

After being acquired in a midseason trade in 2022, McCaffrey emerged as the 49ers' workhorse back, carrying the ball 324 times and catching 80 passes. Shanahan acknowledged that McCaffrey's heavy usage led to some 'wear and tear' by the end of the season, and the team will look to reduce his overall touches in 2026 to keep him fresh.

  • The 49ers dealt with a rash of injuries across the roster in the 2025 season.

The players

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

Christian McCaffrey

The star running back for the San Francisco 49ers, who was heavily used last season after being acquired in a midseason trade.

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What they’re saying

“Kyle Shanahan knows he said it before, but this year he said he really means it: Less wear and tear on Christian McCaffrey next season. More rest,”

— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach

The takeaway

The 49ers' focus on managing Christian McCaffrey's workload next season demonstrates the team's commitment to keeping their star players healthy and fresh for a deep playoff run. Avoiding the rash of injuries that plagued them in 2025 will be crucial to the 49ers' success in 2026.