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Christian McCaffrey won't play in 49ers' finale: Will he finish as NFL leader in yards, TDs?

safid deen, usa today
·3 min read
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Christian McCaffrey’s 2023 regular season is over.

McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers’ star running back, won’t play in the team’s season finale Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

McCaffrey has a mild calf strain, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday, one day after the team’s 27-10 win over the Washington Commanders.

It’ll be a much-deserved break for McCaffrey, who leads the NFL in scrimmage yards and is tied for the league lead with touchdowns scored this season.

The 49ers own the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff race, giving them a bye in the first round of the NFL postseason.

So McCaffrey will have three weeks to recuperate before San Francisco’s first playoff game on either Jan. 20 or Jan. 21.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) carries the ball as Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) pursues.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) carries the ball as Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) pursues.

Why Christian McCaffrey could be Offensive Player of the Year

McCaffrey is a favorite for NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He will likely finish the season as the NFL’s leader in scrimmage yards and the rushing leader, while he could finish tied for the NFL lead in total touchdowns.

McCaffrey is the only NFL player this season to gain more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage, leading all players with 2,023 yards in 2023.

He is tied with Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert with 21 total touchdowns scored.

McCaffrey’s 14 rushing touchdowns is fourth in the NFL behind Mostert, who has 18 rushing touchdowns, while quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen each have 15 rushing touchdowns.

Could McCaffrey finish this season as NFL yards leader?

It’s very likely. McCaffrey has a comfortable lead in scrimmage yards with Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb (1,757) and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill (1,732) in second and third, respectively.

McCaffrey also has a comfortable lead in rushing yards with Rams standout running back Kyren Williams trailing by more than 300 yards with 1,144 this season.

Could McCaffrey finish this season as NFL touchdowns leader?

No. He could remain tied, or finish second. The former is likely.

Mostert was a surprise inactive, missing his first game of the season last week, in Miami’s 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, with knee and ankle injuries.

If Mostert is unable to play in Miami’s finale against the Buffalo Bills, both players will finish tied for the NFL touchdown lead.

How many times has McCaffrey gained 2,000 yards in a season?

McCaffrey has gained more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage twice in his career.

And he nearly did it a third time.

McCaffrey first reached the mark in 2019, totaling 2,392 yards with 19 total touchdowns.

He had 1,965 yards in 2018 – trailing Saquan Barkley and Ezekiel Elliott that season.

Where does McCaffrey’s 2023 season stack up in recent years?

Counting McCaffrey, now there have been eight straight seasons during which an NFL player has gained at least 2,000 yards.

∎David Johnson in 2016: 2,118 yards with 20 touchdowns.

∎Todd Gurley in 2017: 2,093 yards with 19 touchdowns.

∎Saquan Barkley in 2018: 2,028 yards with 15 touchdowns.

∎Ezekiel Elliott in 2018: 2,001 yards with nine touchdowns.

∎McCaffrey in 2019: 2,392 yards with 19 touchdowns.

∎Derrick Henry in 2020: 2,141 yards with 17 touchdowns.

∎Jonathan Taylor in 2021: 2,171 yards with 20 touchdowns.

∎Josh Jacobs in 2022: 2,053 yards with 12 touchdowns.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christian McCaffrey won't play in 49ers' finale due to calf strain