NFL writer questions if 49ers' Christian McCaffrey can regain past form

One key question for the San Francisco 49ers is whether Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy for a full season and return to his 2023 form, when he totaled 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns combined receiving and rushing. However, one CBS Sports NFL writer is cautious about seeing that version of the veteran running back returning.

CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan appeared on CBS Sports HQ and was asked about the prospects of the 49ers having a fully healthy McCaffrey, who only played four games last season.

"I think you have to be a little weary, and it's for everything you were just alluding to," Sullivan said. "This is a guy who is literally a cheat code in human form in the NFL when he's fully healthy, but it's that last little bit, it's when he's fully healthy."

Moreover, Sullivan cited an interesting fact that should be concerning, as the two years after leading the NFL in touches haven't been too kind to McCaffrey. As a result, this could be a foreshadowing of what to expect from the 49ers standout.

"One of the things I've talked about throughout this offseason, leading into training camp, is this one little nugget about Christian McCaffrey that's still sticking with me," Sullivan added. "Going back to 2023, he led the NFL in touches and we all know what happened the following year. Last season, he was limited to just four games. The only other time he led the NFL in touches was back in 2019 with the Carolina Panthers.

"In the next two seasons combined, he played only 10 games, three one year and seven the next. I hope history doesn't repeat itself, where injuries hold him back for a while and it takes years for him to get back to full form. Because, again, if he's the Christian McCaffrey we hope to see, that's always a good sign. If so, this offense has a tremendously high ceiling. But if he's injured, well, you saw what happened last year, they will struggle."

With the number of injuries the 49ers face in the wide receiver group, San Francisco could lean heavily on McCaffrey to start the season. It will be interesting to see if the star running back has put any injury issues behind him, and he can carry the San Francisco offense until the receivers start to return.