Nick Wagoner, an NFL reporter at ESPN, has covered the zip code formerly known as San Francisco 49ers since 2016. In his 12-plus years in the league he’s seen everything. In the process, he helped cover the St. Louis Rams and some of their defining moments, including the infamous decision to draft Michael Sam, the NFL’s first openly gay player.
Wagoner’s insights have been instrumental in covering significant events such as Colin Kaepernick’s protest and the Rams’ relocation saga. He recently took the helm of ESPN’s coverage as the 49ers made their way back to the Super Bowl in 2019 and again in 2023. His deep knowledge of the game gives him a unique ability to translate it into an understandable viewpoint that appeals to fans and football people.
Earlier this week, Wagoner shared another positive development. These questions immediately came to light on Friday, as star running back Christian McCaffrey suddenly appeared on the injury report with a back issue and did not practice. The 49ers’ all-world running back was sick as a dog during Thursday’s practice. Fortunately he responded and was a full participant on Friday.
Christian McCaffrey has become the focal point of the 49ers’ offense. It’s no coincidence that he ranks third in the NFL for scrimmage yards, showcasing just how indispensable he is to this team. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan commented on McCaffrey’s recent performance, saying, “I know he wasn’t feeling well, but he looked good today.”
On top of the general situation with McCaffrey’s health, this is incredibly important especially considering just how important the Panthers’ game against the Titans will be. Just how strongly he’ll be able to perform at full capacity will impact what they’ll do as a team and the final outcome.
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