Christian McCaffrey Faces Calf Injury Setback During 49ers Practice: What It Means for the Season

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is back on the injury report. He previously missed half of the 2024 season due to a calf problem, and now that issue has resurfaced.

He didn’t miss any spring practices and looked strong in training, even participating in a session just a day before being limited on Thursday. McCaffrey was on the field at the start of Thursday’s practice, which was open to reporters, though he didn’t complete the full session. His media availability was also postponed.

Coach Kyle Shanahan recently spoke highly of McCaffrey, expressing confidence in his performance: “He came in healthy this year. He had a hell of an offseason. I believe that’s going to lead to a hell of a year.” This praise is significant, especially since McCaffrey was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.

The 29-year-old running back is not facing a serious injury, but any issue with his calf raises concerns. Last season, he dealt with Achilles tendinitis, which troubled him repeatedly, making this new calf designation particularly worrisome.

Before the season’s start, McCaffrey aimed to play against the New York Jets but was ruled out at the last minute. He even traveled to Germany for medical treatment, likely seeking options unavailable in the U.S.

Looking forward, if McCaffrey can’t play in the upcoming game against Seattle, Brian Robinson is set to step up as the starter, with Isaac Guerendo and rookie Jordan James providing support.

In a recent survey, 63% of fans expressed concern over McCaffrey’s durability this season, highlighting a growing anxiety surrounding star players’ health in the NFL. As the league intensifies, managing player injuries effectively becomes crucial.

Coach Shanahan is expected to hold his final press conference this Friday at 1:35 p.m. PST, revealing more about McCaffrey’s status and the team’s plans moving forward.

For more on NFL player health and statistics, you can read reports from the NFL Players Association.

[Image Credit: Ian Maule / Getty Images]

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