Christian McCaffrey’s backup running back competition with the San Francisco 49ers is heating up.
The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the premier offensive weapons and arguably the top running back in the sport, in Christian McCaffrey, but as a Super Bowl favorite, rounding out quality depth behind him is a top training camp priority.
McCaffrey accounted for 2,023 yards from scrimmage, representing 29 percent of the 49ers’ total offense during San Francisco’s Super Bowl campaign.
Logging 272 carries, McCaffrey rushed for a career-high 1,459 yards as the focal point of the 49ers’ offense.
If nothing else, finding balance and a capable secondary option to limit the wear and tear on McCaffrey during the regular season could be prudent for the 49ers this summer.
It shouldn’t be too surprising that the 49ers invested a fourth-round pick in Isaac Guerendo as a potential understudy for McCaffrey.
However, as ESPN’s Nick Wagoner points out, Guerendo got dinged up during an early training camp practice and opened the door for Cody Schrader to get some meaningful reps.
“Just one practice into training camp, the 49ers running back competition already saw a bit of a shakeup,” Wagoner writes. “Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo departed in the middle of practice with what coach Kyle Shanahan said was a hamstring injury. Guerendo battled hamstring issues at Louisville and if those problems persist, it could open the door for another rookie back to make an impression.
“Undrafted rookie Cody Schrader made a habit of overcoming the odds through a decorated college career. With Guerendo out and star Christian McCaffrey taking a limited workload to preserve him for the season, Schrader could have a chance to make a case for a roster spot in the coming days and weeks.”
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