After playing just four games in 2024 due to a variety of injuries, there was optimism throughout training camp that San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey could be going into 2025 with a clean bill of health. But unfortunately, it seems as if that will not be the case.
McCaffrey popped up on the 49ers injury report on Thursday due to a calf ailment, which is obviously not promising given McCaffrey’s recent injury history regarding issues
While Achilles injuries are not always linked to calf issues, the two can often go hand in hand. And given the fact that McCaffrey missed the first eight games of last season with a Pedal Achilles Sprain, there is obvious concern that this new calf injury could be a precursor to perhaps more serious injuries moving forward.
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However, when speaking on the matter on Friday, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero largely downplayed the long-term risk for McCaffrey, instead suggesting that the 49ers decision to place McCaffrey on the injury report as limited in practice is more of a precautionary measure.
“No, this is not a replay from last year,” said Pelissero of the injury report about McCaffrey, alluding to his calf injury last season. “McCaffrey popped up on yesterday’s injury report as limited with a calf injury. I will say this cautiously, here is what I would tell you. I do not get the sense based on the conversations I have had so far that there are alarm bells going off about Christian McCaffrey at this point.
“If there is any player you are going to take precautions with if he feels something at practice, it is the guy who is arguably your best player and missed most of last season due to a variety of different ailments. We also know that calf injuries can be tricky. At times, they are precursors to Achilles injuries. McCaffrey had issues with both his Achilles’ last year. Again, I do not get the sense that this is DEFCON 1 at this point.”
On #49ers Christian McCaffrey’s calf, @TomPelissero notes, “I do not get the sense this is DEFCON 1,” while cautiously noting we’ve been down this road before so stay tuned. https://t.co/ip0epJPlBg
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 5, 2025
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Last season gave 49ers fans a stark reality of how different the 49ers’ offense looks without Christian McCaffrey in the mix, which played a significant role in the team missing the postseason for the first time since 2020.
So even if Pelissero isn’t all that worried about McCaffrey’s prospects to begin the 2025 season, 49ers fans will almost certainly be a bit anxious about a repeat of last season.
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