If you heard something that sounded like a giant gasping noise coming from the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday, it was likely the collective reactions from the 49ers fanbase as news broke that star running back Christian McCaffrey did not practice due to a calf issue. You'll forgive the team's fans for being worried. McCaffrey has a somewhat lengthy injury history, most notably a calf issue that led to bilateral Achilles tendinitis just last year. As a result, McCaffrey appeared in only four games in 2024.
When he did play last season, McCaffrey didn't quite look right until week 12 in snowy Buffalo. In that game, McCaffrey was running the ball well, gaining 53 yards on only seven carries. But he suffered a PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) sprain in that game and missed the rest of the season.
The fact that McCaffrey is reportedly having calf issues again is concerning. But the running back said on Friday that it's nothing serious and that he will play on Sunday, despite being listed as questionable. "I always plan to play. Hell yeah," McCaffrey said.
On Saturday, Dianna Russini, of The Athletic, addressed the McCaffrey injury in her "What I'm hearing" column. "Christian McCaffrey popped up on the injury report this week with a calf issue," Russini wrote. "That made it hard not to remember McCaffrey's lengthy injury history and wonder if this was a preview of what's ahead. But I'm told he's not in a lot of pain, and the 49ers aren't overly concerned."
McCaffrey said he "feels great" and plans to play.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 5, 2025
That seems like positive news, and McCaffrey understands how this works. "I feel great about where I'm at," McCaffrey said. "Unfortunately, when you have an injury history that I have, sometimes, when you don't practice, things get blown out of proportion. But, like I said, I feel great."
Of course, he said the same thing a year ago. And the team wasn't overly concerned last year either. But the injury did not improve. So we will have to wait and see how well the former Offensive Player of the Year responds to playing on Sunday.
But this year feels a little different. McCaffrey has been practicing, unlike a year ago, and Russini referenced it. "The centerpiece of San Francisco's offense seemed to have finally turned the corner after dealing with bilateral Achilles tendinitis last year, when his season was cut short after just four games by a PCL injury, among other maladies," Russini added. "The difference this summer was obvious — he was on the field every day in camp, not just managing things from the side.
"If McCaffrey were to miss some time early, the 49ers wouldn't view it as a major setback. He's in shape, he's sharp, and they believe he'd be able to step right back in when he's ready. Still, when it comes to McCaffrey — who has missed significant chunks of five seasons — every little issue is going to make a few hearts beat faster."
The 49ers need McCaffrey if they are going to be a Super Bowl contender. The addition of former Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson will help, but you don't replace a player like McCaffrey. As 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan put it, "Obviously, we want Christian out there. He's one of the best, if not the best, running backs in the NFL. The best running back in the pass game, also in the NFL."