Latest injury may signal the end of Christian McCaffrey's NFL career

Christian McCaffrey has found himself on the injury report once again, and some fans may be wondering whether it's time to sound the alarm. 

The former All-Pro running back did not practice on Friday due to a calf issue, according to ESPN. This news comes just days away from the 49ers' season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, which McCaffrey claims he will be healthy for. 

"I feel great about where I'm at," McCaffrey said. "Unfortunately, when you have the injury history that I have, sometimes when you don't practice, things get blown out of proportion. But like I said, I feel great."

The injury history that McCaffrey references is certainly a concern for fans. Just last season, the 49ers general manager, John Lynch, went on KNBR and said McCaffrey would “be out there and ready to roll" for their season opener. Not only did McCaffrey miss the opener, but he also missed 13 games due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis. It all feels too familiar for San Francisco's fans. 

Why another injury means the beginning of the end for Christian McCaffrey

Playing running back in the NFL is taxing on the body. Oftentimes, players who suffer numerous injuries never return to their former level of play. Shaun Alexander is a great example. He was among the best running backs in the league for five seasons, but never returned to full strength after a 2006 foot injury. Arian Foster, who rushed for over 1,200 yards in four separate seasons during the 2010s, had a similar fate. He suffered a series of back, knee and Achilles injuries which forced an early retirement. 

McCaffrey's situation looks frighteningly similar to these predecessors. The former Stanford standout turned 29 in June and missed significant time in five of his last seven seasons. Could this latest injury be the start of the end for McCaffrey?