The San Francisco 49ers have a massive game against the Seattle Seahawks on the docket for Saturday night. The winner of the game not only wins the NFC West division title, but the number one overall seed in the NFC and the first-round playoff bye that comes with it.
The gravity of the situation is not something that’s wasted on head coach Kyle Shanahan.
“It’s huge,” Shanahan said. “So proud of the guys throughout the whole year, proud of today. It’s a hell of a deal being able to have the opportunity to play for the 1-seed, and these guys have earned it.”
Unfortunately, the Niners may be without two of their most crucial offensive pieces, including former offensive player of the year winner Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey didn’t practice on Tuesday due to back stiffness, and standout offensive lineman Trent Williams missed practice with a hamstring injury. Even if they’re able to go on Saturday, it’s looking as if the stars won’t be at 100%, never ideal for such an important game.
#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey has some back stiffness, per Kyle Shanahan. McCaffrey says it's nothing serious.
He wouldn't normally practice on a Wednesday anyway (yes, it's Tuesday but a Wednesday in terms of preparation).
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 31, 2025
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“His back hurts from carrying the load all season when other guys were injured Too bad this game means something, or they could’ve given him the week off,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Stiff from carrying the team?” someone else asked.
“He put it out carrying my fantasy team on his back all season,” one fan added.
What the Seahawks do have working in their favor is that the game will be on their home turf. If they can pull off the win, it’d go a long way toward them making the Super Bowl, which just so happens to also be in San Francisco.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.