Christian McCaffrey Faces New Calf Injury Before 49ers’ Week 1 Clash
Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers’ superstar running back, has once again found himself at the center of an injury concern, and the timing could not be more dramatic. After battling through an injury-plagued 2024 season, hopes were high that he would return fully healthy and ready to carry the offense into 2025. But now, just days before the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, McCaffrey’s name has unexpectedly landed on the injury report.
On Thursday, the 49ers listed McCaffrey as “limited” in practice due to a calf injury. What makes this especially worrying is that he wasn’t listed at all on Wednesday’s report, meaning the issue cropped up very recently. With kickoff right around the corner, the Bay Area fanbase is understandably on edge.
Also Read:This new development brings back memories of last year, when McCaffrey’s season was derailed by multiple injuries. First it was an Achilles problem, followed by a PCL issue in his knee. He managed to appear in only four games in 2024, producing 202 rushing yards on 50 carries and another 146 receiving yards. It was a far cry from his 2023 dominance, when he led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards, scored 21 total touchdowns, and powered San Francisco all the way to the Super Bowl.
The frustration isn’t just with McCaffrey’s health—it’s with the ripple effect it has on the entire team. Without his explosiveness in the backfield, the 49ers’ offense struggled, stumbling to a disappointing 6-11 record last season. The franchise knows just how valuable he is; when healthy, McCaffrey is arguably the most dangerous dual-threat weapon in football, someone who can take over a game as both a runner and a receiver.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan had recently expressed confidence in McCaffrey, even going so far as to predict a “hell of a year” for him after a strong offseason and training camp. But that optimism now feels shaky, with fans anxiously awaiting the next injury update before Sunday’s kickoff.
There is at least one safety net. Earlier this offseason, the 49ers traded for Brian Robinson Jr., a reliable back from the Washington Commanders. Robinson ran for nearly 800 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and he is capable of handling a starter’s workload if pressed into action. Still, everyone in San Francisco knows Robinson was brought in to complement McCaffrey—not replace him.
For now, the situation is fluid. McCaffrey’s calf injury might be minor, or it could be the latest setback in what has become a frustrating cycle for one of the NFL’s brightest stars. What’s certain is that the 49ers’ Week 1 matchup against the Seahawks just became even more compelling, with fans holding their breath to see if McCaffrey will be ready to take the field.
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