San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is on pace for another historic season, potentially etching his name alongside some of the NFL's all-time greats. Through nine games, McCaffrey has already totaled 1,222 scrimmage yards, including an impressive 626 receiving yards.
At his current pace—one that could easily continue given the 49ers' rash of offensive injuries—the star running back may soon break a record held by one of his childhood heroes, Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.
ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz believes McCaffrey will set the NFL record for most receiving yards by a running back in a single season, surpassing Faulk's 1,048-yard mark from 1999.
"McCaffrey currently has 626 receiving yards, which prorates to 1,182 yards for a full 17-game season," Schatz explained. "With all the injuries in San Francisco, McCaffrey has somehow become an even bigger part of that offense. He is averaging a career-best 10.3 yards per reception, and though that will probably drop, the volume probably won't."
The 49ers' offense has been missing several key contributors. Wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk remain sidelined—Pearsall with a knee injury suffered in Week 4, and Aiyuk still recovering from ACL and MCL tears sustained last year.
Meanwhile, Jauan Jennings has struggled to find consistency, and quarterback Brock Purdy has been out since Week 4 with a turf toe injury.
Despite those challenges, the 49ers continue to fight for the NFC West crown, holding a 6-3 record heading into Week 10. That success bodes well for McCaffrey's continued production down the stretch.
"The 49ers could be fighting for playoff position until the final week, so I don't expect McCaffrey to take a week off," Schatz added. "He is recording 69.6 receiving yards per game, and averaging 55.0 the rest of the way passes the record with room to spare."
If McCaffrey maintains his current production, the 49ers star could soon add yet another milestone in what has already been an impressive career.