Should the 49ers Star Running Back’s Injury Update Be a Cause for Concern?
Hello, San Francisco 49ers fans and fantasy football managers. Welcome to another year of expressing your belief in Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers before everything decides to fall apart. Even after an underwhelming 2024 season filled with injuries, there has been a belief and confidence in CMC and the offense to return to form over the 2025 offseason. Let’s just say when Adam Schefter reported yesterday on McCaffrey being a limited participant at practice due to a calf injury, that hope was immediately lost.
Earlier today, a new update came out, reporting that McCaffrey didn’t participate in the team’s gameday walkthrough in preparation for their critical Week One divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. It’s difficult to tell if this injury designation is as serious as a season ago. However, the circumstance is drawing eerily similar to the situation that took place prior to the team’s Monday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets to open last season. Whether it’s just precautionary or serious, the reality is McCaffrey’s now listed as questionable for their season opener, and that can only be a cause for concern in the eyes of 49ers fans due to his injury history. San Francisco recently traded for running back Brian Robinson Jr., which gives them security if this calf injury becomes a lingering problem.
As much as the media surrounding San Francisco has hyped up McCaffrey’s return to All-Pro form throughout the offseason, questions remained about whether those statements would ever come into fruition as the season started. Now, questions have quickly turned into concerns regarding McCaffrey popping up on the 49ers’ injury report with a calf issue, the same injury that sidelined him for eight games in 2024. There are no alarm bells ringing within the organization about McCaffrey’s situation, via Tom Pelissero. In addition, McCaffrey talked with the media today, where he told reporters, “I feel great about where I’m at.” However, understanding his injury history, there’s no guarantee he’s on the field Sunday. McCaffrey could be confident in his offseason recovery, but at this point in his career, his best years are likely in the past. If he can’t put trust in his legs without an obstacle arising, the end of his career could be closer than many think.
