As one might anticipate, all eyes will be on Christian McCaffrey when the San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 regular season begins. After the most difficult season of his NFL career last year, the superstar is hoping to put his injuries behind him and have a strong bounce-back campaign.
Having persevered through a series of injuries, McCaffrey is now entering this year with renewed energy and a simple goal: stay healthy and help the 49ers make another run at a Super Bowl.
What’s the Latest on Christian McCaffrey’s Injuries?
The 2024 season was brutal for McCaffrey. He missed the first eight games nursing Achilles and calf issues, including Achilles tendinitis in both feet. Then, just when he was finding his rhythm again, his season came to an abrupt end. In Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills, he went down with a torn PCL in his right knee on a play without contact.
It was a gut punch for a player who thrives on quick cuts and explosive movements. McCaffrey has never hidden how much the game means to him, and being sidelined was a difficult pill to swallow.
But things feel different now. Throughout the offseason, McCaffrey has been a full participant with no limitations. He’s described himself as feeling “great” and has been training at full speed since early spring. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has praised his burst, even saying he looks “as fast as he’s been.” Local writers have raved about him as well.
Nevertheless, the 49ers are aware of how critical it is to safeguard their most prized offensive weapon. To help McCaffrey, the squad acquired former Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr., a power runner who excels in the space between the tackles.
Trade: Commanders are trading RB Brian Robinson to the 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/bqYjKoxgl5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 22, 2025
In addition to providing the 49ers with an opportunity to be more balanced, Robinson’s style enhances McCaffrey’s, keeping their star fresh for the most important games. Sharing the backfield is about McCaffrey’s longevity, not about missed touches.
So, what should fans expect from McCaffrey this year? Nobody is demanding a repeat of McCaffrey’s peak 2023 numbers, but the hope is that he can still deliver elite production with a lighter workload. After all, he’s proven to be one of the greatest running backs in today’s game.
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However, following last year’s injuries, this season is about demonstrating that he can stay on the field and still produce at a high level. He feels good right now, his teammates have faith in him, and the 49ers have a strategy to keep him on the field.
McCaffrey’s Fantasy Outlook
McCaffrey was the unquestioned 1.01 in fantasy drafts before the 2024 season. The veteran was coming off a 2023 season that saw him lead all players in fantasy points per game (24.5) thanks to his prowess both on the ground (272 carries for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns) and through the air (83 targets, 67 receptions, 564 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns).
Unfortunately, last season was a disaster. McCaffrey missed the first eight weeks with Achilles tendinitis and calf issues. He briefly returned for three healthy weeks, averaging 18.6 touches per game for 93.7 all-purpose yards. Unfortunately, he sprained his PCL after just 12 snaps in his fourth game, causing him to get shut down for the final five games of the year.
McCaffrey averaged just 12.0 PPR points per game during his four active weeks, which was good for the RB23 during that time. The veteran running back is healthy heading into 2025, which makes him one of the highest-risk players you can draft.
On one hand, McCaffrey is coming off a season of lower-body/Achilles injuries that cost him most of the year. He’s also had a high-volume workload throughout his career and recently turned 29 years old. On the other hand, we know that a healthy McCaffrey is capable of breaking fantasy football (22.7 PPR PPG in his two full seasons with San Francisco). Even a version of McCaffrey that sees 75% of the backfield workload is a big win in fantasy.
McCaffrey is a fine pick in the late first round who could produce RB1 overall numbers if he maintains a similar role in the passing attack.
However, he is a running back on the other side of his prime, coming off a season decimated by injuries, so temper your expectations appropriately.
