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After star running back Christian McCaffrey was limited to four games last season due to Achilles and knee injuries, the San Francisco 49ers have been looking to manage his workload and lower his risk of injury. To that end, they traded a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Washington Commanders for Brian Robinson Jr. in late August. As it turned out, they could’ve gotten a very serviceable backup for McCaffrey without having to part with a future draft pick. Running back Cam Skattebo, a fourth-round draft pick in April out of Arizona State University, emerged as a diamond in the rough for the New York Giants before a severe ankle injury this past Sunday ended his season. He ran for 410 yards and five touchdowns while adding 24 catches, 207 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in eight games prior to that injury. Read more: 49ers Legend Jerry Rice Picks Current Best WR Without Hesitation Skattebo was taken by New York with the No. 105 pick. The 49ers had the No. 100 pick, but they went with cornerback Upton Stout instead. Head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that the team was interested in taking Skattebo. “Yes, we did, and we loved him,” Shanahan said of the team’s interest in Skattebo. “He was awesome.” #49ers Kyle Shanahan said Niners considered drafting RB Cam Skattebo 👀 pic.twitter.com/o3ffGIhdvx— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) October 29, 2025 Despite his injury, Skattebo has quickly become a fan favorite in the Tri-State Area and has given frustrated fans there hope for the medium-term future along with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who could be the franchise signal-caller the Giants have been searching for since Eli Manning retired. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 09: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants runs in a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Eagles 34-17. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) Robinson has been adequate with 144 yards on 36 carries this year. But Skattebo would’ve given Shanahan another versatile threat who could’ve made San Francisco’s offense even more unpredictable. Shanahan likes players such as McCaffrey and fullback Kyle Juszyzck who can play multiple roles offensively, and that is exactly what Skattebo would’ve offered the red and gold. Read more: Packers, Jordan Love Receive Huge Prediction Following Dominant Week 8 Win As it stands, McCaffrey has accumulated 490 rushing yards, 559 receiving yards and six total touchdowns in eight games this year. But his high usage rate is making his odometer tick pretty fast, and now that he’s 29 years of age, the Niners have to find a way to reduce his workload and look to extend his career and his viability. Historically, NFL running backs have fallen off a cliff at around age 30. McCaffrey signed a two-year, $38 million extension last year that will keep him under contract through the 2027 season, when he will be 31 years of age. For more on the 49ers and Giants, as well as general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
