Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Tue 7/22/25 5:14 PM
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that McCaffrey is "here and healthy" for the start of 49ers training camp, but the running back's workload will be managed in advance of the regular season, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
After a 2024 season in which he missed 13 games due to Achilles tendinitis in both legs and a PCL sprain in his right knee, McCaffrey didn't have any restrictions during the offseason program and appears to be back to his normal self as camp kicks off. FB Kyle Juszczyk spoke highly of the 29-year-old McCaffrey two weekends ago at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, telling Vic Tafur of The Athletic, "Christian is arguably the best player in the NFL. He was the offensive player of the year two years ago. ... He looks so healthy, he looks so explosive." McCaffrey mustered just 348 yards from scrimmage and no touchdowns on 65 touches in his four appearances last season, but in the aforementioned, award-winning 2023 campaign, he put up 2,023 total yards and 21 TDs in 16 regular-season games.
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Thu 6/12/25 10:03 PM
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
McCaffrey was one of a few 49ers veterans to participate in 11-on-11 work during mandatory minicamp, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
McCaffrey has been trending well from a health perspective this offseason, after struggling with both Achilles and knee issues in 2024. He practiced without restrictions in OTAs and then ramped up his activity further during mandatory minicamp. McCaffrey relayed that he wanted to test his health and was satisfied with the results as he turns his focus to the 2025 season.
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Wed 4/23/25 10:03 AM 4 Comments
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
McCaffrey is participating in the offseason program without any restrictions, ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner reports.
EDGE Analysis
Coach Kyle Shanahan declared McCaffrey healthy in early April, which wasn't surprising after the running back told reporters in early January that he was already almost back to full strength. The 49ers then traded Jordan Mason to the Vikings and allowed Elijah Mitchell to sign with the Chiefs, leaving 2024 fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo as McCaffrey's likely backup for 2025. McCaffrey missed the first eight games of last season with Achilles tendinitis in both legs, later missing the final five games because of a PCL sprain in his right knee. It was his third time in the past five years missing double-digit games, but he played either 16 or 17 regular-season games in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. McCaffrey is under contract through 2027 after signing an extension last summer, albeit with no guaranteed money beyond 2025.
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Tue 4/8/25 10:55 AM
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said last week that McCaffrey (knee) is healthy and doing well, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
EDGE Analysis
Shanahan also mentioned the possibility of drafting another running back to join McCaffrey and 2024 fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo. The 49ers traded Jordan Mason to the Vikings and lost Elijah Mitchell to the Chiefs in free agency, thinning out a backfield that was devastated by injuries last season. McCaffrey missed the first eight games with Achilles tendinitis and the final five games with a PCL sprain, ultimately taking 65 touches for 346 yards and no TDs in four appearances -- his third time playing fewer than half of the games in a season. He's apparently healthy well before the start of OTAs, but concerns about durability will continue to impact McCaffrey's fantasy value for his age-29 season ahead. It remains to be seen if his Achilles tendons, in particular, can hold up to the kind of workloads Shanahan typically has given him, though perhaps he is trying to avoid having to find out the answer to that question if the team does in fact add another running back to the mix.
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Mon 1/6/25 4:00 PM 2 Comments
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
McCaffrey (knee) said Monday he's "definitely close" to 100 percent healthy and could have played had the 49ers qualified for the playoffs, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
McCaffrey will turn his full attention toward making a recovery for OTAs, with San Francisco having failed to attain a playoff berth. The star running back missed the final five games of the regular season due to a PCL injury in his right knee, after having had his 2024 debut delayed until Week 10 due to a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis. Ensuring McCaffrey is able to enter the 2025 campaign at full health will be among the 49ers' top offseason priorities, in addition to a potential contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow).
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Tue 12/3/24 5:17 PM
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
The 49ers placed McCaffrey (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
Just as head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Monday would be the case, McCaffrey was moved off the 53-man roster after the running back suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee during Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills. Shanahan said that McCaffrey will likely need around six weeks to recover from the injury, so he'll miss the rest of the regular season and may return to action only if the 5-7 49ers make a surprise playoff run. McCaffrey should be back to full strength for the offseason program and will be entering the final guaranteed year of his contract in 2025. After spending the first nine weeks of the season on IR while recovering from a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey appeared in just four games in 2024, failing to score a touchdown while carrying 50 times for 202 yards and recording 15 receptions for 146 yards on 19 targets.
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Mon 12/2/24 4:46 PM
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
The 49ers plan to place McCaffrey (knee) on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday that McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury in his knee, and he will be sidelined at least six weeks, Rapoport added. McCaffrey was injured in the first half of Sunday night's eventual loss to the Bills, and he's now going to miss the rest of the regular season. In addition, McCaffrey's backup, Jordan Mason, suffered a high-ankle sprain against Buffalo and also is heading to IR, knocking him out until at least Week 18. The development vaults Isaac Guerendo into the 49ers' RB1 spot atop the depth chart, making him a priority add in all fantasy leagues. Patrick Taylor currently is on the team's practice squad but likely will be promoted this week.
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Sun 12/1/24 11:39 PM
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
McCaffrey (knee) suffered a PCL injury in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills that may be season-ending, coach Kyle Shanahan revealed after the game, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Making only his fourth appearance after missing eight games due to Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey was injured in the first half against the Bills and may not return again this season. The star running back will likely undergo further testing on the injury to confirm the initial diagnosis, but it appears Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo may be relied upon to lead San Francisco's backfield the rest of the way as the 49ers try to climb back into the playoff picture after falling to 5-7 with Sunday's loss. If McCaffrey doesn't play again in 2024, he'll finish the campaign with 50 carries for 202 yards, 15 catches on 19 targets for 146 yards and zero total touchdowns.
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Sun 12/1/24 9:53 PM
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
McCaffrey (knee) won't return to Sunday's game against the Bills.
EDGE Analysis
McCaffrey was ruled out at halftime after limping to the locker room in the first half. Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo will lead San Francisco's rushing attack in the second half. McCaffrey will finish the night with seven carries for 53 yards and two catches for 14 yards on three targets. His next chance to play will be Week 14 against the Bears.
Christian McCaffrey RB SF (14) Sun 12/1/24 9:07 PM
Christian McCaffrey
RB SF (14)
McCaffrey (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bills.
EDGE Analysis
McCaffrey felt something in his leg and slid down immediately after receiving a toss in the second quarter, then got up limping and promptly went to the medical tent. The star running back went to the locker room soon thereafter, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. McCaffrey had been off to a strong start in snowy Buffalo prior to the injury, rushing seven times for 53 yards and catching two of three targets for 14 yards. Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo will comprise San Francisco's backfield in McCaffrey's absence.