More details emerge on Christian McCaffrey's latest issue

Christian McCaffrey had a rough 2024 season

Following a season in which McCaffrey delivered a first-team All-Pro season and won Offensive Player of the Year, McCaffrey was a surprising scratch for the team’s Week 1 matchup after being limited in practice the week before with a leg issue. He had remained optimistic throughout the week in his ability to play, but when he tested his calf the day of the game, it “didn’t feel right” and the team and player opted to let him rest.

When he still couldn’t go in Week 2, the 49ers opted for an injured reserve stint. A headline-grabbing trip to Germany hinted just how bad things might be, and after returning for a four-game stretch, McCaffrey was shut down again in Week 14, this time for the remainder of the season.

Christian McCaffrey seemed healthy this offseason

The year, the offseason buzz has been all about how McCaffrey had moved past the injuries and had no physical limitations in offseason workouts. In addition to the prior offseason's promise to reduce his regular season workload — a promise perhaps made on a monkey’s paw — the team was dedicated to reducing his offseason workload this year, as well.

Christian McCaffrey speaks out amid rumors

Then, on Thursday, McCaffrey removed himself from practice after “tweaking his calf,” per Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows, also of The Athletic. McCaffrey asserted that the decision was precautionary in nature and not indicative of his availability, saying, “I feel great about where I’m at. Unfortunately, when you have an injury history like I have, sometimes when you don’t practice, things get, uh, blown out of proportion. But, like I said, I feel great.”

The optimism mirrors similar sentiments displayed a year ago, but Tafur and Barrows point out some differences. They say that last year, McCaffrey was frequently bothered by flare-ups of Achilles tendonitis in both legs, requiring sporadic practice appearances. This year, aside from the occasional veteran rest day, McCaffrey hadn’t needed to limit himself at all until Thursday.

Still, the player and team claim his rest was done out of an abundance of caution. He warmed up with the team but worked out with trainers off to the side as a non-participant in practice. He’s listed as questionable for Sunday afternoon’s season opener in Seattle, but according to multiple sources, he’s not in a lot of pain, and he feels great about where he’s at. Even if he does miss some time, though, the team feels comfortable that newcomer Brian Robinson can help fill in.