49ers' Christian McCaffrey nominated for 2026 ESPYS award

ESPN announced the full list of nominees for the 2026 ESPYS on Thursday, with the awards show set to air live from New York on July 15 at 5 p.m. PT. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is the team's lone representative among this year's nominees.

McCaffrey earned a nomination for Best Comeback Athlete after a remarkable bounce-back season in 2025. The 49ers star totaled 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns, including 1,202 rushing yards, helping reestablish himself as one of the NFL's premier offensive playmakers.

Joining McCaffrey as nominees in the Best Comeback Athlete category are golfer Anthony Kim, Angel City FC defender Savy King, and Texas A&M volleyball standout Kyndal Stowers.

McCaffrey's standout 2025 campaign came on the heels of an injury-plagued 2024 season. Achilles tendinitis and a PCL injury limited the running back to just four games, during which he recorded a career-low 348 yards from scrimmage.

The former AP Offensive Player of the Year started all 17 games in 2025 and capped his impressive comeback by earning AP Comeback Player of the Year honors.