One season, Christian McCaffrey looks like the most dangerous offensive weapon in the NFL, while in other seasons, he misses significant time with injury. Here’s a closer look at what happened in 2024–25, and why the superstar runner is a Comeback Player of the Year candidate in 2025–26.
What Happened to Christian McCaffrey in 2024?
Mere weeks before the beginning of the 2024 regular season, it was reported that McCaffrey had been dealing with Achilles Tendinitis. Despite many conflicting reports, the star running back proceeded to miss the opening eight games of the year.
McCaffrey returned in week 10, but didn’t look quite like his all-pro self. He didn’t record a touchdown in four straight weeks before ultimately suffering a season-ending PCL injury in week 13 against the Bills.
McCaffrey’s value to the team proved significant, as San Francisco finished the year 6-11, last in the NFC West. The injury also marked the third time in McCaffrey’s career that he played seven or fewer games in a season.
Thankfully, McCaffrey’s rehab was successful, offering him an opportunity to win the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2025.
McCaffrey’s Performance in 2025-26
McCaffrey, as he’s done so many times before, bounced back. The star running back came into the year with zero restrictions and once again proved himself to be one of the league’s best.
McCaffrey carried the ball 311 times for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also acted as the team’s top receiving option, hauling in 102 of a potential 129 targets, for 924 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Furthermore, he ranked as high as 7th according to the PFSN NFL RB Impact metric.
#NFL | El RB #ChristianMcCaffrey de los San Francisco #49ers es el receptor del premio anual #SaluteToService
La Christian McCaffrey Foundation hace un trabajo destacado en salud y bienestar para los veteranos y familias de militares.#FTTB #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/zURE5dbZyv— Sam (@Samuel_Prieto) February 5, 2026
The most impressive part of McCaffrey’s season, however, was the ability to stay healthy. Nearly every 49er’s star missed time due to injury, except for McCaffrey. Week in and week out, McCaffrey was the consistent weapon the 49ers’ offense relied on while finishing 12–5 and securing a Wild Card victory.
The season was fairly comparable to McCaffrey’s 2022 season. That year, the RB posted 1880 total yards and 13 total touchdowns. He finished second in the Comeback Player of the Year voting, behind only QB Geno Smith.
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Now, in 2025-26, the nominees for the award include McCaffrey, Stefon Diggs, Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence, and Aidan Hutchinson. Of the group, McCaffrey currently sits as the odds-on favorite to take home the award, according to multiple sportsbooks.
McCaffrey is also a candidate for the NFL’s MVP, as well as the Offensive Player of the Year award, highlighting how impressive his season was. Tonight will determine whether the superstar running back comes home empty-handed or with one or possibly two of the league’s most prestigious awards.
