ChristianMcCaffrey

News: 6 days agoMcCaffrey (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Spin: In hindsight, it's hard not to view last week's injury designation as a troubling omen. McCaffrey reportedly made it through Friday's Week 5 practice without any setbacks only to mysteriously be listed as doubtful for the aforementioned contest, ultimately missing last week's loss to the Eagles. Coach Matt Rhule seemed to have some optimism his star back would be available this week against the Vikings, only to see those hopes essentially dashed by back-to-back practice DNPs. While this latest development is obviously crushing for fantasy managers, it does take a bit of the guesswork out of McCaffrey's health status and ensures the multi-talented threat will have plenty of time to rehab what's obviously a lingering hamstring issue. McCaffrey will be eligible to make a return Week 9 against the Patriots, but until then expect Chuba Hubbard to continue operating as the lead back.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: McCaffrey was limited to three games during an injury-plagued 2020, but the 25-year-old is well-positioned for a big bounceback this season. McCaffrey was fantasy's No. 2-scoring RB in 2018 before scoring an absurd 156 more points than any other back in 2019. He was on track for another dominant campaign last season, scoring exactly two TDs while posting 25-plus fantasy points in all three of his appearances. Even after the lost season, McCaffrey is one of the league's few remaining every-down backs and will benefit from Matt Rhule and Joe Brady's RB-friendly offense. McCaffrey is a candidate for 400 touches and locked in as the top asset in fantasy football.