"Christian McCaffrey's back is aching, understandably so. His 399 touches are the most ever in a 49ers' season. The 49ers' offensive workhorse has yet to miss a game this season, but a "stiff" back kept him from Tuesday's 5 p.m. walk-through practice at Levi's Stadium, ahead of Saturday's high-stakes kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC playoffs' No. 1 seed. Also shelved Tuesday were left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (hip) and defensive lineman Keion White (groin). Tight end George Kittle was cleared to practice in a limited capacity, a week after spraining an ankle at Indianapolis and missing Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears."
"Winning will vault the 49ers (12-4) past the Seahawks (13-3) for the NFC playoffs' No. 1 seed, as well as their fourth NFC West title in coach Kyle Shanahan's nine seasons (and third in four years). The 49ers would own the first tiebreaker against the Seahawks by having swept the home-and-away series, which began with a 17-13 win in Seattle in Week 1. Losing will send the 49ers into next weekend's wild-card round as either the Nos. 5 or 6 seed, dependent on whether the Los Angeles Rams (11-5) lose a third straight game Sunday when they host the Arizona Cardinals (3-13). (The Rams, if they win after a Niners loss, would own the tiebreaker for the No. 5 seed by virtue of a better record against common opponents, at 9-3 vs. 8-4.)"
Christian McCaffrey logged 399 touches, the most in a 49ers season, and is dealing with a stiff back that kept him from a Tuesday walk-through. Left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (hip) and defensive lineman Keion White (groin) were also sidelined. George Kittle was limited in practice after an ankle sprain; Ricky Pearsall, Yetur Gross-Matos and Upton Stout practiced with limitations. A win would deliver the NFC's No. 1 seed and an NFC West title, with the season sweep providing the tiebreaker over Seattle. A loss would drop San Francisco into the wild-card round, with final seeding depending on the Rams' result. McCaffrey required medical attention late Sunday but remained in the game and contributed to the go-ahead touchdown drive.
Read at The Mercury News
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