After battling through numerous injuries throughout the 2024 season, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey arrived on the first day of the team’s offseason program on a positive note.
With what he referred to as “zero restrictions,” the 28-year-old rejoined his teammates on Tuesday for the first time since their season ended in January. He seemed confident speaking with reporters as he prepares for his ninth season in the league.
“I’m feeling great,” McCaffrey said, per ESPN NFL reporter Nick Wagoner. “It’s been such a smooth process, a lot of hard work. As soon as that injury happened in Buffalo, that was my goal was to not miss a day of OTAs, be back, ready to go with nothing hindering me. And that’s where I’m at.”
This comes a year after McCaffrey was a limited participant in last season’s offseason program while he worked with the team on a contract extension. Once McCaffrey appeared for training camp with a two-year, $38M contract in hand, he suffered an Achilles injury and dealt with bilateral Achilles tendinitis for much of the first half of the season.
After missing eight games with that injury, McCaffrey returned on Nov. 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Three weeks later in a Week 13 tilt with the Buffalo Bills, McCaffrey injured his right knee and battled a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury that sidelined him for the final five games.
Coming off a disappointing 2024 season that saw the team go 6-11 and fail to make the postseason after appearing in two Super Bowls the five seasons prior, the health of McCaffrey is crucial toward the team’s success, especially after losing several key players in free agency.
Unlike previous years when the team kept most of its roster in tact, this offseason has been completely different. Per Wagoner, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga signed with the Denver Broncos, cornerback Charvarius Ward signed with the Indianapolis Colts and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was traded to the Washington Commanders.
Starters like offensive lineman Aaron Banks (Green Bay Packers) and RB Elijah Mitchell and OL Jaylon Moore (Kansas City Chiefs) were also lost in free agency. The team additionally released key players like defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle Maliek Collins and defensive end Leonard Floyd.
Despite the roster turnover, McCaffrey still remains with the team and should at least provide some increased optimism entering the 2025 season, given the success he has achieved in his career and his current status.
In his eight prior seasons in the league, McCaffrey has played seven or fewer games three times due to numerous injuries. Despite that, he has been phenomenal when has played, putting up 202 rush yards and 146 receiving yards in his four starts in 2024.
In his impressive career, McCaffrey has rushed 1,347 times for 6,387 yards and 52 TDs, with an additional 524 catches for 4,466 yards and 29 receiving TDs.
McCaffrey’s toughness has never been questioned throughout his career. Assuming he can finish out the offseason strong and he does not suffer any more setbacks, it sounds like he will be back at full strength, which should give the 49ers some more confidence going into the 2025 season as they look to put a lackluster 2024 season behind them.