Two Jaguars players fined for plays against 49ers’ McCaffrey, Purdy

Two Jaguars players fined for plays against 49ers’ McCaffrey, Purdy originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Christian McCaffrey continues to be a big source of the NFL’s fundraising movement this season.

The 49ers’ running back was on the receiving end of his fifth facemask penalty of the season in the team’s Week 10 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The NFL fined Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd $10,927 for the second-quarter facemask penalty against McCaffrey.

It was the eighth infraction against McCaffrey this season totaling $97,387 in fines. In addition to five facemasks, there have been two helmet-to-helmet hits and one taunting penalty directed at McCaffrey.

The fine money is donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support former players in need of assistance, as well as the NFL Foundation to help support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game, according to the NFL.

Jacksonville linebacker Foyesade Oluokun was fined $16,391 for a horse-collar tackle on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the third quarter. That play did not draw a penalty flag.

No 49ers players were fined coming out of their 34-3 victory in Jacksonville.

Nick Bosa was called for roughing the passer in the third quarter, but the league deemed it did not rise to the level of warranting additional discipline.

Also, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was not fined for diving at the back of Ambry Thomas’ legs several yards into the end zone at the end of Thomas’ fumble return in the third quarter. Thomas’ 92-yard touchdown return was nullified because multiple 49ers players and coaches, including Kyle Shanahan, entered the field before the play was over.

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How 49ers’ McCaffrey can make versatile NFL history vs. Bucs

How 49ers’ McCaffrey can make versatile NFL history vs. Bucs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Christian McCaffrey arguably is the most versatile NFL offensive player at the moment, and the 49ers’ star running back might be one of the most dynamic athletes to ever step on the gridiron.

McCaffrey’s all-around game has been on display ever since he joined the 49ers in a midseason trade last year, and the former All-Pro is off to a historic start to the 2023 NFL season.

History will be on the line for McCaffrey when the 49ers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Week 11 clash on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

McCaffrey enters Sunday’s game with 480 career receptions out of the backfield, and with four more, he will surpass former 49ers great Roger Craig’s mark (483) for the most catches by a running back in his first seven seasons, per NFL game notes.

With eight 2023 games remaining, McCaffrey is certain to smash Craig’s record and set a new hard-to-reach standard for all-purpose running backs.

Additionally, McCaffrey has an opportunity against the Buccaneers to pad two stats he paces the NFL in, which could lead to some more history by the end of the season.

McCaffrey has an NFL-leading 747 rushing yards, 122 more than Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (625). The 49ers’ running back has had the league lead since gaining 152 yards in the season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he is aiming to lead the league in rushing wire-to-wire.

Interestingly, McCaffrey hasn’t eclipsed 100 yards rushing in a game since Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, yet he has done enough to build a comfortable lead over Henry.

McCaffrey also leads all NFL running backs with 339 receiving yards this season. Per NFL’s game notes, he could become the first running back to lead the position on both rushing and receiving yards for an entire season since former Houston Texans star Arian Foster in 2010.

The Buccaneers’ defense poses an interesting matchup for McCaffrey, as Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth fewest rushing yards so far this season (785) while allowing the fifth most passing yards (2,402).

McCaffrey, who saw his streak of scoring a touchdown in 17 consecutive games come to an end last Sunday in Jacksonville, has his work cut out for him Sunday, but it’s unlikely he will back down from a challenge.