Around the NFL

Newly acquired 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey to make debut vs. Chiefs

Published: Oct 23, 2022 at 09:42 AM

Christian Gonzales

Digital Content Producer

Sunday's rematch of Super Bowl LIV will feature a new running back in the San Francisco backfield.

Newly acquired 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday, per sources.

"From what I am told, he has a package of plays, base plays, first down-type of plays," Rapoport said on NFL GameDay Morning. "They thought about doing it in the red zone, settled on this."

The 2019 Pro Bowler is set to make his debut after he was traded from the Carolina Panthers to San Francisco on Thursday. The Panthers received a 2023 second-round draft pick, a 2023 third-rounder, a 2023 fourth-rounder and a 2024 fifth-round pick in exchange for McCaffrey.

In six games as a Panther this season, McCaffrey rushed 85 times for 393 yards and two touchdowns. He also contributed 33 receptions with 277 receiving yards and a touchdown.

On Friday, McCaffrey couldn't hold back his excitement to get familiar with head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.

"In my opinion, the best run game and one of the most explosive offenses in the league," McCaffrey said. "I think you just go down the roster and you look at all the guys -- I think that's the thing I'm most excited about -- just getting in the locker room, getting to meet the guys. How could you not want to play here as an offensive weapon?

"I'm extremely fired up. ... I can't express how happy I am to be here."

Shanahan praised his new running back's abilities on Friday.

"I don't think there's anything he can't do, whether it's in the pass game, the run game, blocking," Shanahan said of McCaffrey on Friday. "I think he's a very talented player. Just watching how he plays, he's a very smart player. He always gets to the right hole, is very smooth, and I've seen that at every level he's played in."

McCaffrey will hope to get acclimated in a new system led by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle in his first game.

The 49ers (3-3) will host the Chiefs (4-2) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Related Content

news

Commanders trade for Saints four-time Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore

The New Orleans Saints traded cornerback Marshon Lattimore to Washington in exchange for a third-round draft pick ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, per NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

news

NFL news roundup: Latest league updates from Tuesday, Nov. 5

NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown.

news

Raiders hiring former HC Norv Turner as assistant coach following firings

The Las Vegas Raiders midseason coaching overhaul includes adding long-time NFL coach Norv Turner to the mix. The ex-Raiders head coach will return to the team as an assistant, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday.

news

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) 'likely' headed to injured reserve

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones indicated Tuesday that it's likely quarterback Dak Prescott will land on injured reserve, which would knock him out of the lineup for a minimum of four games.

news

Cowboys acquiring WR Jonathan Mingo from Panthers for 2025 fourth-round pick

The Dallas Cowboys are sending a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Mingo and a 2025 seventh-rounder, per NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

news

Bengals acquire RB Khalil Herbert from Bears in trade with Zack Moss out indefinitely

The Bengals have added a running back to the mix following Zack Moss' neck injury. Cincinnati is acquiring Khalil Herbert in a trade with the Chicago Bears, per NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.

news

Browns trading pass rusher Za'Darius Smith to Lions

The Cleveland Browns are trading pass rusher Za'Darius Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.

news

Marlon Humphrey: Ravens' defensive struggles on players, not coaching staff

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr has taken heat for the unit's sub-standard play through nine weeks. Veteran corner Marlon Humphrey defended the DC on Monday, saying that the issues reside with the players.

news

Todd Bowles gave 'very minor' consideration to going for two after late touchdown in Buccaneers' loss

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers eschewed an option to try for two points with 27 seconds remaining in regulation. Instead, Todd Bowles kicked the PAT, forcing overtime, and the Chiefs ultimately ran away with the victory.

news

Patrick Mahomes on new Chiefs teammate DeAndre Hopkins after two-touchdown night: 'He'll get even better'

In his second game as a Kansas City Chief, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins flashed his old brilliance and new significance to the Chiefs as he hauled in a pair of touchdown catches to help Kansas City to a thrilling 30-24 overtime victory over the Bucs on Monday night.

news

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes shrugs off rolled ankle to lead Kansas City to OT win

Despite aggravating the left ankle injury he suffered in last week's contest, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes played through the pain and did not miss a snap during Monday night's overtime 30-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, captaining his squad to another victory to remain undefeated.

news

Buccaneers-Chiefs on 'Monday Night Football': What We Learned from Kansas City's 30-24 OT win

Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdowns, with two going to DeAndre Hopkins, and drove the Kansas City Chiefs to a game-winning Kareem Hunt touchdown for a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on "Monday Night Football."