Christian McCaffrey’s injury situation just keeps getting worse. Initially, the San Francisco 49ers superstar running back was listed as day-to-day with a calf strain, and head coach Kyle Shanahan said that McCaffrey could have played in Week 1 if it was a playoff game.
Then, it was revealed that McCaffrey was dealing with Achilles tendinitis, and the 49ers put him on injured reserve, which required him to miss four games. Now, 49ers general manager John Lynch provided perhaps the most concerning update of all.
Christian McCaffrey Has Achilles Tendinitis in Both Legs
Lynch revealed that McCaffrey is suffering from “bilateral Achilles tendinitis,” which means that he has tendinitis in both Achilles tendons.
That explains why McCaffrey recently traveled to Germany to see an Achilles tendinitis specialist, as his case is a bit more complicated than typical tendinitis.
Shanahan confirmed the diagnosis and offered some more details.
“During the time, he’s had it in both (Achilles tendons),” Shanahan told reporters. “I think it started in one, (then) you overcompensate on the other. Mainly, one has been bothering him, but he’s had it in both.”
So, what is Achilles tendinitis?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone.” The injury “most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs.”
In terms of treatment, the clinic says most cases of Achilles tendinitis can be treated with at-home care under a doctor’s supervision, but more serious cases “can lead to tendon tears (ruptures) that may require surgical repair.”
49ers Fans, Analysts React to McCaffrey’s Diagnosis
Niners fans are understandably frustrated with this news, as McCaffrey is one of their best players and they entered this season with championship aspirations. Fantasy managers are also devastated, as McCaffrey was the 1.01 pick in many fantasy drafts.
The way this situation has escalated is pretty wild, as this injury was initially described as a minor calf strain that wouldn’t affect CMC’s regular-season availability, but it has turned into Achilles tendinitis in both legs that is expected to sideline him into November. After this news broke, some fans understandably feared that he’ll miss the remainder of the season.
Welp he’s done for the season… https://t.co/RF3VbytZB0
— O (@TheeCoachO) September 30, 2024
Other fans are worried about how effective McCaffrey might be once he does return. After all, McCaffrey is 28 years old, and this could be a nagging injury that limits him over time (or resurfaces). Some fans depressingly wondered if McCaffrey’s best days are behind him.
He won’t ever be the same https://t.co/3O1TGm1di1
— Boj (3-1) (@mrijbol) September 30, 2024
Chase Senior, who hosts “The 49ers Report,” wondered if the team regrets extending McCaffrey recently. In June 2024, the Niners ripped up the two existing years on CMC’s contract, extending him through the 2027 season while upping his average annual value to $19 million, which makes him the highest-paid running back in the NFL by a wide margin ($4 million more than any other RB).
McCaffrey had $24.2 million remaining over his previous two years. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year will receive $38 million in new money on top of that total, including $24 million in new guarantees.
The 49ers paid McCaffrey a $14.29 million signing bonus in 2024, allowing them to spread that money out over multiple seasons and keep McCaffrey’s cap charge relatively low. Option bonuses in 2025 ($14.245 million) and 2026 ($10.55 million) won’t hit San Francisco’s cap this year.
Christian McCaffrey has achilles tendinitis in BOTH legs.
Given McCaffrey's age, usage and wear and tear, was it a mistake for the 49ers to sign CMC to a contract extension, giving him guaranteed money, while increasing his average annual value, knowing the Niners are… pic.twitter.com/NBgSC0gsuL
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) September 30, 2024
Then, former players started weighing in.
Former NFL cornerback and current analyst Richard Sherman, who played with the 49ers from 2018 to 2020, has dealt with Achilles tendinitis and a ruptured Achilles. He said that this injury is unpredictable, and there’s no real way of knowing when McCaffrey will be back. Some days, CMC may feel great. On other days, it may flare up and cause excruciating pain. He also said that, oftentimes, the tendinitis becomes an Achilles rupture.
This is something the Niners have experienced firsthand. After all, one of McCaffrey’s teammates, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, suffered from Achilles tendinitis toward the end of last regular season and ruptured his Achilles while running onto the field during the Super Bowl. After witnessing Greenlaw’s Achilles tendinitis lead to a ruptured Achilles, the 49ers will likely be very cautious with McCaffrey and keep him sidelined until he’s 100%.
This is a great listen: Richard Sherman talks about when he had Achilles tendinitis and shares his thoughts on CMC’s situation:
“Hopefully he’s back by November. I think that’s the timeline they’re putting on him. So, if you’re hearing from an expert 'he can be back here or he… pic.twitter.com/cFTt9z6zjN
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 30, 2024
Former NFL offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse also chimed in, pointing out that McCaffrey is dealing with an overuse injury after receiving a ton of touches in recent years.
CMCs usage % just in 2023 was 2nd in the league. Tendinitis and Tendonosis are OVERUSE injuries. https://t.co/UJ2t1xoOnD
— marshall newhouse (@MNewhouse73) September 30, 2024
Finally, Dr. Jeff Mueller explained that this may not be as scary as the headlines sound. He said that it’s “not surprising that his other side got inflamed/overworked while pushing through prior Achilles tendinitis.” He also added: “If this was a huge issue, CMC would not have ramped up his rehab today” (as was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter).
He also pointed out that the 49ers have known all along that both tendons were inflamed, yet they still leaked that he’s targeting Week 10-12 as a return date, which is a positive sign.
Headline is scary and majority of people will be scared off, but:
1. Not surprising that his other side got inflamed/overworked while pushing through prior Achilles tendinitis. Altered biomechanics.
2. If this was a huge issue, CMC would not have ramped up his rehab today.
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 30, 2024
It remains to be seen how long McCaffrey will be sidelined, but if there’s any risk of an Achilles tear, the team will certainly err on the side of caution.
After all, San Francisco is a Super Bowl contender, so they aren’t going to risk losing arguably their best player for the season just to rush him back for an early-season contest.
Also, it helps that McCaffrey’s replacement, Jordan Mason, is playing well, so the 49ers can continue to run the ball effectively while he is sidelined.
The Niners are currently 2-2, and Mason has rushed for 447 yards and three touchdowns on 91 attempts while adding six catches for 57 receiving yards.