Christian McCaffrey had a super disappointing 2024 season defined by injuries.
It coincided with an underachieving San Francisco 49ers team that went just 6-11.
But with the new season approaching slowly but surely, things are looking up for McCaffrey.
He said earlier in the offseason that he has “no restrictions.”
It’s that news that has Pro Football Focus writer Ryan Smith giving CMC a big title: He’s ranked as his most anticipated injury comeback heading into the 2025 NFL season.
Here’s what Smith wrote:
McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the 2024 season with bilateral Achilles issues, then later suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee against Buffalo, landing him on injured reserve and ending his season.
Without their All-Pro running back, the 49ers struggled, finishing 6–11 after winning 35 games from 2021 to 2023.
In 2022 and 2023, McCaffrey was the most complete back in football, earning 90.0-plus PFF grades in both seasons while forcing 155 missed tackles, the most in the league during that span. Last month, he reported having “zero restrictions” as the 49ers began their offseason program.
He’ll be a critical piece for a San Francisco team looking to reassert itself in the NFC after three straight conference title game appearances.
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This is a key bounceback season loading for the 49ers.
Now that Brock Purdy has his new big contract, along with deals for George Kittle and Fred Warner, San Francisco is very much looking to contend for a Super Bowl now.
McCaffrey’s health is a key variable in the whole equation. Not only do they need him healthy now, but they need him healthy when the biggest games roll around, too.
Football fans everywhere are certainly waiting to see just how CMC looks when it matters.
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