Yahoo Sports NFL on Christian McCaffrey

ArticleThe 5 biggest surprises from the 49ers in Week 1September 16, 2026

From the article

McCaffrey ran 18 routes compared to Black's 10. The game script set up perfectly for Black to get snaps in the fourth quarter. You don't need McCaffrey taking any unnecessary hits.

Captured by STACKED 50 min after posting

STACKED’s take

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McCaffrey saw reduced route share (18) as Shanahan rotated in Black for load management.

Christian McCaffrey ran 18 routes in Week 1 compared to rookie Kaelon Black's 10 routes, as Kyle Shanahan employed a rotation strategy. The source suggests this load management approach—avoiding unnecessary hits—is designed to keep McCaffrey on the field all season, with the game script (49ers' dominant win) allowing for the rotation in the fourth quarter.