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'This wasn't my year' - Christian McCaffrey makes 2025 promise after 49ers star's latest injury

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated Dec 4, 2024 8:45 PM ET

Christian McCaffrey's season is likely over. Though Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday left the door open to the San Francisco 49ers' star running back returning if they overcome the odds to make the playoffs, for last season's Offensive Player of the Year the focus is now on next year.

After being placed on injured reserve following a PCL injury suffered in last Sunday's defeat to the Buffalo Bills, McCaffrey conceded as such.

In a post on Instagram, McCaffrey accepted that, having missed the first eight games of the year with bilateral Achilles tendinitis before seeing what was left of his campaign cut short in the Buffalo snow, the 2024 season was simply not meant to be for him.

But in doing so he pledged to respond in style in 2025.

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A post shared by Christian McCaffrey (@christianmccaffrey)

His post read: "Football is the greatest game on the planet to me. I love that you can find out exactly who you are without ever saying a word.

"It lifts you up and breaks you down and it can happen fast. It’s humbling in the best ways. You can do everything right and still fail. Thats life and that’s football. It’s a constant test of wills and those who just keep going tend to reap the benefits of their perseverance.

"This wasn’t my year, and sometimes when it rains, it pours. You can feel sorry for yourself and listen to the birds, or you can hold the line. I’m grateful for the support of everyone in my corner and promise I’ll work smarter and harder than ever to come back better from this. I love my teammates, I love the 9ers, and I love football. God doesn’t miss. Onward."

San Francisco backed McCaffrey, who will be 29 when next season starts, to avoid the cliff many running backs hit as they approach their 30s. The Niners are expecting him to continue to thrive as he had done consistently since his 2022 trade from the Carolina Panthers prior to this injury-hit year. Having put their financial faith in him, the 49ers need McCaffrey to make good on his promise to come back stronger.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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