Fantasy Football Update: Does Christian McCaffrey's Calf Injury Make him a Risky Pick?

This period of the fantasy football schedule, when we’re too early for most drafts but firmly in the midst of training camp, is nerve-wracking. There are plenty of exciting hype trains but, as will become clear in this article, the vast majority of guaranteed impactful news comes in the form of injuries. 

Yes, important things are happening in training camps around the country. But, especially until we start seeing some actual starters in preseason games, it’s near-impossible for fantasy managers to identify those key tidbits among the sheer amount of noise coming out of camps … aside from all these injuries.

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Christian McCaffrey Set to Miss Entire Preseason with Calf Injury

Let’s start with the consensus first-overall pick in 2024 fantasy drafts, who may not last in that spot for long. Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday that superstar running back McCaffrey is dealing with a calf strain that will keep him out of all of the 49ers’ preseason contests. On the bright side, Shanahan also said that he does not consider this to be a long-term injury.  

Still, this is certainly worrisome for a player with a cost as high as McCaffrey’s. It was only two years ago that even a fully healthy CMC was falling down draft boards due to concern over his ability to stay on the field. He’s been thankfully very reliable in his time in San Francisco but has also racked up a few hundred more touches.

For now, the sheer value over the next best running back that McCaffrey provides makes him worth the risk as the first overall pick. But if we hear any more negative updates about his health, a safer stud like CeeDee Lamb or Tyreek Hill might be a better choice.

Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors Intensify

We can stay in San Francisco with the most interesting story of the week, as there is enough smoke around a Brandon Aiyuk trade to necessitate an update. Three weeks ago, in this same article, I was very confident that Aiyuk wasn’t going anywhere. Now it doesn’t look so clear.

The 49ers reportedly had deals in place with both the Browns and Patriots, but the 26-year-old receiver refused to sign long-term contracts with either team. But just the fact that San Francisco is seriously negotiating makes this domino much more likely to eventually fall. CMC himself even referred to Aiyuk as a “former teammate”, and there’s a dog on Twitter that has been screaming for weeks that Aiyuk will eventually land in Pittsburgh. 

There will be huge fantasy fallout if Aiyuk is indeed traded. Deebo Samuel Sr., George Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall/Jauan Jennings would each get huge boosts, while Brock Purdy would have to move down boards. Aiyuk’s outlook will depend on where he is traded, but increased volume should offset any decreased efficiency more than most think. Of course, that volume will come at the expense of the old weapons on his new team, who would have to be downgraded in kind. 

One thing worth noting is that the 49ers’ deals with both Cleveland and New England reportedly included a wide receiver returning to the 49ers, who are obviously in win-now mode. That could be what is holding up a deal with Pittsburgh, as San Francisco looks for a third team with a receiver to spare to add to the deal — if the 49ers do receive a WR back, the bump for Pearsall and Jennings will be much smaller.   

Puka Nacua Week-to-Week with Knee Knee Injury

The greatest rookie receiver of all time is now dealing with a knee injury heading into his sophomore season. Nacua, who did struggle with injury issues in college, will reportedly be ready to go in time for Week 1. As with CMC, don’t put Puka on your Do Not Draft list yet, but keep an eye on this situation in case he suffers a setback.  

Rondale Moore Set to Miss First Season in Atlanta

Moore, a second-round pick in the 2021 draft, was traded to the Falcons over the offseason. He was likely set to serve as the team’s WR3 behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney, a position that is now up for grabs.

However, especially with high target-earners at other positions in Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts, I don’t foresee the Falcons’ WR3, whoever it is, being fantasy-relevant in anything other than insanely deep leagues.

Josh Downs Suffers High Ankle Sprain in Camp

Here we have yet another young receiver going down with injury, as Downs was eventually carted off the Colts’ practice field following a tackle on Wednesday. The sophomore slot WR is expected to miss four to six weeks with his high ankle sprain, which puts his availability for Week 1 in question.

In his absence, the Colts have taken the opportunity to get both Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell on the field, with Mitchell seeing slot snaps at Friday’s practice with Downs out. Downs was already overpriced in drafts (his upside is severely limited by not seeing the field in two-WR sets), and this injury can linger and re-occur. He’s off my draft board for now unless he falls multiple rounds in ADP, while Mitchell and Pierce should both move up slightly. 

Mike Williams Activated Off PUP List

Let’s end what was mostly a depressing weekly roundup with some good news: Williams, who joined the Jets this offseason in free agency, has been activated off the PUP list. The veteran receiver tore his ACL in Week 3 of the 2023 season but is now set to fill New York’s long-standing hole at the WR2 position.

According to FantasySP’s ADP Tool, he is currently being selected as the 55th WR off the board, which seems a relatively fair price for a receiver with his track record and situation coming off a serious injury at 29 years old.