Just a year ago, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was preparing for another standout season after earning NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. He had just racked up an incredible 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 total touchdowns in 2023 and aimed to repeat—or at least approach—that performance.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.
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McCaffrey's 2024 season was derailed early by Achilles tendinitis, forcing him to miss the first eight games. He returned briefly, appearing in just four contests before suffering a PCL injury that ended his season prematurely. He finished the year with a career-low 348 scrimmage yards and zero touchdowns.
With McCaffrey sidelined for most of the season, the 49ers struggled through a disappointing, injury-riddled campaign, finishing 6-11 and landing in last place in the NFC West. It marked the team's first postseason absence since 2020.
Despite the setback, Pro Football & Sports Network analyst Jacob Infante believes McCaffrey is the 49ers' leading candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.
"The San Francisco 49ers dealt with several key injuries in their 2024 season from hell," Infante wrote. "Brandon Aiyuk, Javon Hargrave, Talanoa Hufanga, and Jordan Mason were all among those who missed time due to injury. In the end, perhaps no absence was as impactful as that of Christian McCaffrey."
Infante notes that while McCaffrey has had injury troubles in the past—playing just 10 games combined between 2021 and 2022—he has also posted multiple seasons with over 2,000 scrimmage yards. If healthy, he believes McCaffrey is fully capable of returning to elite form in 2025.
"After winning Offensive Player of the Year with 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 total touchdowns in 2023, McCaffrey played just four games in 2024," Infante continued. "Injuries have been an issue for him before, as he played just 10 games from 2021 to 2022. However, he's an elite running back and will be a strong Comeback Player of the Year contender if healthy."
ESPN and CBS Sports recently ranked McCaffrey among the NFL's top running backs heading into the 2025 season. In fact, Jared Dubin of CBS Sports suggested McCaffrey's role could expand even further this season.
"McCaffrey is still going to be in Kyle Shanahan's offense, and he might have an even bigger role in it than when we last saw him healthy thanks to the departure of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk's torn ACL," Dubin wrote.
With his unique versatility, elite vision, and relentless work ethic, McCaffrey remains a dangerous weapon for the 49ers and a legitimate contender to take home Comeback Player of the Year honors.