Way back in December 2019, the 49ers won an epic shootout in New Orleans, 48-46, to highlight their Super Bowl push. In the Saints\u2019 previous game at their famed Superdome, an opposing running back put up impressive numbers, too.<\/p>\n
Christian McCaffrey totaled 133 yards from scrimmage and scored two touchdowns, though it could not prevent a\u00a0 Carolina Panthers\u2019 loss amid an eight-game skid to finish the season.<\/p>\n
Last Sunday, McCaffrey proved in the 49ers\u2019 season-opening win in Seattle he is still a rushing-and-receiving double threat. Those skills were in great demand as the 49ers made due without tight end George Kittle in that 17-13 win, and now McCaffrey might have to shoulder an even greater load Sunday when the 49ers (1-0) visit the Saints (0-1).<\/p>\n
Brock Purdy\u2019s toe injury kept him out of a second straight practice Thursday, thus thrusting Mac Jones into the starting quarterback role, possibly for an extended stretch. It seems the 49ers could be without Purdy, Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk for another month.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody just has to do their job,\u201d McCaffrey said. \u201cWhether Brock\u2019s playing or not, it comes down to everybody executing at a high level and keeping it that simple, not trying to do anything special. That\u2019s pretty much consistent every week.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCaffrey is so special that, despite calf tightness three earlier, the 49ers had him play 58 snaps Sunday, with 22 carries (69 yards) and nine receptions (73 yards). He didn\u2019t score, so his touchdown drought goes back to the 2023 season\u2019s Super Bowl.<\/p>\n
McCaffrey returned to practice Thursday after not taking part Wednesday, because of last week\u2019s calf issue and a routine rest day; defensive linemen Nick Bosa (rest) and Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) also returned, while left tackle Trent Williams (knee) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder) conditioned on the side.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cool thing to know is Christian is just getting going,\u201d general manager John Lynch said on KNBR 680-AM. \u201cHe\u2019s going to keep playing at a high level because that\u2019s just who he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Injuries kept him from playing all but four games last season, however. So Lynch acknowledged there was \u201cprobably some form of PTSD from last year\u201d when McCaffrey exited last Thursday\u2019s practice. \u201cThere was kind of an ominous feeling out there Thursday when he pulled himself. The trainers decided to keep him out,\u201d Lynch said. \u201cShortly there after we felt like we averted anything significant here. And then turns to, `Is he going to be all right to play?\u2019 Sure looked like it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCaffrey said Wednesday he \u201cfeels great\u201d and again downplayed last week\u2019s calf issue: \u201cIt was nothing serious. It never was. I knew I was going to play. I just wanted to be smart with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The smart money was on Brian Robinson Jr. splitting time in his 49ers debut. Robinson played 18 snaps and had nine carries (33 yards) plus a 4-yard reception.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe ran hard. He\u2019s such a good addition to our team and such a good guy to put in there and not miss a beat,\u201d McCaffrey said. \u201cFired up to share the room. He\u2019s only going to get better the more comfortable he gets in our offense. Coach T. (Bobby Turner) has been getting him right. Sometimes, learning game-plan to game-plan is easier than going through the whole training camp.\u201d<\/p>\n
Isaac Guerendo did not get a carry as the third back last week, and rookie Jordan James\u2019 surgically repaired finger is healthy enough to potentially make his debut Sunday, Lynch said.<\/p>\n
For McCaffrey, he played annually at the Superdome from 2017-20, going 1-2 with the Panthers; an ankle injury kept him out of their 2021 visit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a loud stadium. But we\u2019re going to play in a lot of loud stadiums,\u201d McCaffrey said. \u201cNew Orleans has a great defense, a loud stadium, good coaches. They\u2019re obviously well coached and have good veterans who\u2019ve played good football for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCaffrey endorsed Jones\u2019 ability to play good football in place of Purdy, adding: \u201cMac\u2019s been awesome. He\u2019s been such a good guy in the locker room and on the field. He\u2019s shined a bunch of times in camp. He\u2019s got a whole bunch of starts under his belt. He\u2019s played in the NFL and has played good football before. He\u2019s an awesome player.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Former 49ers listed among the 162 senior nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame: running back Roger Craig, tight end Brent Jones, quarterback Jim Plunkett, wide receiver Billy Wilson, center Bart Oates, linebackers Matt Millen and Keena Turner, and defensive backs Merton Hanks, Tim McDonald and Abe Woodson.<\/p>\n