The San Francisco 49ers had high hopes of representing the NFC in the Super Bowl this season, setting the stage for another showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, after a disappointing 6-11 campaign, they finished in last place and missed the NFL Playoffs entirely.
A mix of inconsistency and injuries derailed their season, with setbacks beginning as early as training camp when offensive linemen Jon Feliciano and Spencer Burford suffered injuries in the same week.
The most devastating blow, however, came just before the season opener against the New York Jets when reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey sustained a calf injury.
The injury caught the team off guard, as linebacker Fred Warner explained.
“It came out of nowhere for him, honestly,” Warner shared on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN. “Talking to him throughout the offseason, he felt great. He got married, was on cloud nine, thinking, All right, we’re coming back to win a Super Bowl, coming off an Offensive Player of the Year season. So, it was a shock to him, a shock to us.”
Initially considered minor, McCaffrey’s injury worsened over time, ultimately sidelining him for 10 weeks. Determined to return, he explored every possible treatment, even flying to Russia in an effort to heal what was later diagnosed as bilateral Achilles tendonitis. After making his way back to the field, he played just four games before suffering a PCL injury, effectively ending his season.
Despite a frustrating year, McCaffrey’s recovery is now trending in a positive direction, according to his father.
Encouraging Update on Christian McCaffrey’s Recovery
During Super Bowl 59 media appearances, McCaffrey’s father, Ed McCaffrey, spoke with Front Office Sports and provided an optimistic update on his son’s condition.
“He’s doing great,” McCaffrey said. “He should be fully healthy this week or by next week, and he’ll have a full offseason to train.”
For 49ers fans, this is the news they’ve been eagerly awaiting. San Francisco’s offense struggled without McCaffrey last season, and even when he returned, they never found their rhythm. Having a fully healthy McCaffrey back in action could be the key to reigniting the offense and making another deep playoff run.
49ers Grateful for McCaffrey’s Return
The 49ers understand how crucial McCaffrey is to their success. Linebacker Fred Warner is particularly thrilled to see him return to full strength, recognizing his impact on the field.
“He’s one of our best players, if not the best,” Warner emphasized. “So, I’m excited for him going into this season, to just get back healthy, get back out on the field. We need him. We need him in order to be successful. You saw it. And then, obviously, dealing with a bunch of other injuries this past season. We just got to wipe that, put that away.”
In 31 games with San Francisco, McCaffrey has amassed 2,407 rushing yards, 134 receptions, 1,174 receiving yards, and 31 total touchdowns. His return could be exactly what the 49ers need to reclaim their contender status in the NFC.
