San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey appeared in only four games this season. He missed the first eight due to Achilles tendinitis and the last five after suffering a PCL injury. McCaffrey expects to be ready for next season and is eager to return to his NFL Offensive Player of the Year form.
On Monday, McCaffrey told reporters that his recovery is "progressing really well." He feels close to being fully healthy and now has the entire offseason to build on that.
When asked about his initial Achilles injury and if it has calmed down enough to no longer be a concern for the 2025 season, McCaffrey responded, "Yeah, a hundred percent."
He isn't sure what triggered the initial injury but downplayed speculation that he overworked himself last offseason. Tweaking his offseason workout regimen remains a work in progress, as he hopes to avoid a recurrence this year.
McCaffrey admitted that the second injury, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season, was "incredibly hard" to handle.
"I've been through adversity before like this, and it doesn't make it easier, but it was definitely tough for me in all ways," McCaffrey said. "But that's life."
When asked about his progress, McCaffrey told ESPN's Nick Wagoner that he would have returned had the 49ers made the playoffs. Instead, he will continue rehabbing and expects to be ready for organized team activities.
#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey says he's "definitely close" to fully recovered from knee injury that ended his season. McCaffrey told me he would have been able to return had the Niners made the playoffs. Instead, he will continue rehabbing here and expects to be ready for OTAs.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 6, 2025
McCaffrey finished the season with 348 scrimmage yards on 65 touches but did not reach the end zone.