What’s a Realistic Time Frame for Christian McCaffrey’s Return?
San Francisco 49ers’ Running Back Didn’t Play in Week 1 Due to Achilles Tendinitis and Is Doubtful for Week 2
Injury Concerns
Of all the injured players in Week 1, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was arguably the most surprising inactive as the NFL news of his status broke shortly before Monday night’s game.
McCaffrey has been dealing with calf and Achilles injuries since training camp and sat out the preseason. NFL rumors believed he would start the opener against the Jets, but the 49ers look to be taking the cautious route with the 28-year-old back as it is a long season and path to another Super Bowl.
After some conflicting words from the 49ers about when they knew McCaffrey was going to miss Week 1, the tone has changed for Week 2. Early reports are McCaffrey is “unlikely to play” against the Vikings.
What is a realistic timeframe for McCaffrey’s return? If you ask him, Sunday sounds good.
From @GMFB: #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles/calf) feels like a long-shot for Sunday against the #Vikings. pic.twitter.com/PR41Qc3wkQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2024
McCaffrey Optimistic About Injury
In front of reporters on Wednesday, McCaffrey was optimistic about this latest injury.
“My mentality is I’m playing this week,” McCaffrey said. “That’s where I’m at. That’s how I am every week. I’m not lying. I think as soon as a player says, ‘Maybe I’ll play, maybe I won’t,’ that’s not a good mentality to go into a week with when you’re kind of on the fence. So for me, I’m ready to go.”
“My mentality is I’m playing this week” — 49ers Christian McCaffrey on Sunday game at Vikings. Calf/Achilles kept him out of opener pic.twitter.com/Hagdpzm5cg
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 11, 2024
When the 49ers traded for McCaffrey from Carolina during the 2022 season, many felt like they were getting the best running back in the NFL. Since joining the team, he’s looked the part. Christian McCaffrey’s stats with the San Francisco 49ers are excellent as he has 31 touchdowns in 27 NFL games, and he averages 119.8 yards from scrimmage per game.
The only concern when acquiring him was his injury history. McCaffrey led the NFL with 403 touches in the 2019 season in Carolina, which is a heavy workload. He suffered a high-ankle sprain early in the 2020 season, then a shoulder injury shut him down as he only played in 3-of-16 games.
In 2021, it was injuries to his hamstring and ankle that cost him 10 games. So, that was two years back-to-back where multiple injuries cost McCaffrey games, leading to the injury-prone label.
But since 2022, the only games McCaffrey has missed are his last two regular-season games. The 49ers rested starters in Week 18 last year, so it’s not like he needed to play that game anyway.
Kyle Shannan and Christian McCaffrey might not be a match made in heaven. pic.twitter.com/CDRgF0YnHs
— The Right Time with Bomani Jones (@righttimebomani) September 12, 2024
However, this new situation (Achilles tendinitis) is a little different, and it started in training camp after the 2023 season where McCaffrey again led the league with 339 touches (plus 78 more in the postseason).
The 49ers would be smart to play it safe.
49ers Can Take Their Time
McCaffrey is great but running backs are still replaceable. The 49ers started Jordan Mason in his place Monday night, and he rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown in a big win against the Jets.
Jordan Mason reacting to his numbers: pic.twitter.com/iC6hyM0EzQ
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2024
That does not mean the 49ers don’t need McCaffrey this season, but they can afford to give him the maximum amount of time here. Their upcoming NFL schedule has the Vikings, Rams, Patriots, Cardinals, and Seahawks. They may not see a playoff team until the Chiefs in Week 7.
Fantasy owners may hate it, but a healthier, fresher McCaffrey for late in the season is more important for the 49ers.
