Christian McCaffrey is one of the most electric and dynamic running backs in the NFL. He’s also a back who can make an entire stadium hold its breath on every one of his carries — not just because he can break off otherworldly video game-style plays but because of his injury history.
Going into the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers, their fans, and anyone with an appreciation for what McCaffrey does on the field were disappointed. He sat out the first eight games with bilateral Achilles tendinitis. Then he sat out the last five games with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee.
Now, with Deebo Samuel Sr. in Washington, D.C., and George Kittle caught up in protracted contract negotiations, McCaffrey becomes even more important to the Niners’ offense. The three-time All-Pro is a crucial piece of their offense as the Niners prepare to sign Brock Purdy to a huge extension.
Christian McCaffrey Has No Restrictions on His Workouts
Nick Wagoner of ESPN reported that McCaffrey’s offseason program is moving along at a great pace.
“#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey says he has no restrictions from previous injuries and is participating fully in the offseason program,” Wagoner said.
“I’m feeling great. It’s been such a smooth process, a lot of hard work,” McCaffrey said via Wagoner. As soon as that injury happened in Buffalo, this was my goal to not miss a day of OTAs and be back ready to go with nothing hindering me, and that’s where I’m at.”
“It went by pretty quickly, but I got to a point pretty quickly in the offseason where I was training full speed, ready to go,” McCaffrey said.
McCaffrey: "I’m feeling great. It’s been such a smooth process, a lot of hard work. As soon as that injury happened in Buffalo, this was my goal to not miss a day of OTAs and be back ready to go with nothing hindering me and that’s where I’m at.”
"It went by pretty quickly but I… https://t.co/qKXRcODcyi
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner)
McCaffrey was acquired by the Niners in 2022 with the intent that he would be the final piece of a championship team. The Niners gave up two second-round picks, two third-rounders, and a fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers. It paid off handsomely in 2023 as McCaffrey was named the Offensive Player of the Year.
He led the league in yards from scrimmage with 2,023 total yards. The Niners made it to Super Bowl LVIII, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime.
However, he’s a high-reward, high-risk player because of his injury history. He’s missed four or more games in five different seasons. When he’s on the field, he’s dominant. He has a career average of 4.7 yards after the catch and 8.5 yards per reception with 81 total touchdowns.
On top of the Achilles issues, the PCL injury apparently required surgery, so even if his workouts are going along well, there’s no guarantee he will be ready for the regular season.
San Francisco has a lot riding on him in 2025, a year that might be the last hurrah for a lot of the Niners’ more expensive players. Their success could be dictated more by McCaffrey’s health than they’d like to admit.
