Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox recently named eight players returning from injury he's most excited to watch in 2025. Among them is San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, who was limited to just four games last season due to injuries. The All-Pro landed on injured reserve twice—first with Achilles tendinitis and later with a PCL injury.
"When healthy, Christian McCaffrey has traditionally been one of the most exciting players in the NFL," Knox wrote.
McCaffrey totaled only 348 scrimmage yards and zero touchdowns in 2024, a steep drop-off from his dominant 2023 campaign, when he earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors by racking up 2,023 total yards and 21 touchdowns.
Now fully healthy heading into training camp, McCaffrey was a full participant throughout the 49ers' offseason program. The team is hopeful he can return to elite form in 2025, and their offensive success may depend on it.
Knox is also intrigued by how McCaffrey will match up in practice against the 49ers' revamped defense, now once again led by coordinator Robert Saleh.
"It's always good to see the three-time Pro Bowler attacking defenses with his elite dual-threat ability," Knox noted. "It'll be fun to see him in camp going against a new-look defense—loaded with rookies and again helmed by coordinator Robert Saleh. It'll also be interesting to see how head coach Kyle Shanahan plans to use him in 2025."
One major question entering the season: How much will the 49ers rely on McCaffrey? After a year of frustrating injuries, will Shanahan continue to give him a heavy workload, or take a more balanced approach—possibly involving second-year back Isaac Guerendo more often?
Shanahan has publicly emphasized the need to protect McCaffrey from himself, noting the running back's relentless drive and refusal to take plays off.
"I don't think about that," McCaffrey responded when asked about workload concerns. "My job is to put my body in the best position it can to go out there and be me. Everything else, it's a lot of noise, and sometimes, there's a lot of different things going on. My job is just to go 100% every play and continue to get better. I just try to focus on that."
Knox also believes McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle could take on a higher volume of work on offense with Deebo Samuel now in Washington and Brandon Aiyuk returning from ACL and MCL injuries.