Fantasy football buzz: How Christian McCaffrey's return would impact 49ers' backfield

Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.

Key links: Fantasy depth charts

RB Christian McCaffrey could return by Week 10

Eric Moody: 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan plans to open McCaffrey’s 21-day return window on Nov. 4, which is welcome news for fantasy managers who were blindsided by his Achilles tendinitis diagnosis in September. Recent reports target Week 10 as McCaffrey’s likely return date, but there’s a chance the 49ers hold him out longer if McCaffrey isn’t ready. Fantasy managers should also keep this in mind — the 49ers’ priority is winning a Super Bowl, not a fantasy championship. So expect the team to err on the side of caution with CMC, as they have all season.

Jordan Mason has helped weather the storm while McCaffrey has been out, rushing for 685 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s been managing a shoulder injury the past few weeks and re-aggravated it Sunday against the Cowboys. Speedy rookie Isaac Guerendo has also stepped up, even reaching the end zone against Dallas. However, if and when McCaffrey returns, most of the touches will likely go CMC’s way — McCaffrey has averaged 20.4 per game since joining the 49ers. Mason or Guerendo would likely serve as a change-of-pace options.

Last week, our own Matt Bowen listed McCaffrey as one of his favorite trade targets for fantasy managers. ESPN+ subscribers can click here to read more on that and Bowen’s other top trade targets.