The 49ers kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) last week, and McCaffrey made his presence felt as reporters got their first glimpse of the 2025 squad on Thursday. It was a light practice, which meant no helmets, pads, or contact were allowed. Despite that, one 49ers insider was impressed with the now-healthy star running back.
"But — whew! — Christian McCaffrey looked electric on one of his runs Thursday," Matt Barrows wrote in a feature for The Athletic, "one where he hopped through the line of scrimmage before accelerating past the linebackers and bursting up the middle of the field.
"The run was evidence that McCaffrey, who missed the bulk of the 2024 season with Achilles and knee injuries, is back at full strength and looking more like his 2023 self. And it seemed symbolic of the extra pep the San Francisco 49ers seem to have this spring."
While it's too early to draw firm conclusions from one light OTA practice, McCaffrey's performance and the positive early reviews are an encouraging sign for a team looking to bounce back in 2025. After a busy offseason retooling the roster, the 49ers' success may hinge in part on having their offensive centerpiece fully back.
General manager John Lynch expressed high praise for McCaffrey's offseason progress.
"It looks really good to me," Lynch said last week. "That's what I'll tell you. He looks bouncy; he looks explosive. Christian likes the work. As talented as he is, he's a feel player, and he likes to work, and he's put in the work.
"Believe me, he's as intense a competitor as I've ever been around. He's maniacal in his approach."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was also asked about McCaffrey's readiness as the running back looks to return to his 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year form.
"Christian, he's as ready as any player I've ever been around," Shanahan said. "When he gets hurt, he's got to rehab and get better. Right now, he's as healthy as can be. We've got to kind of protect him from himself, but Christian has a good idea of what he needs to do right now.
"He's doing a lot less than he normally would do, but I know he's excited on how healthy he feels, and the fact that he can get out there."
Reporters will get one more look at the team during Wednesday's OTA session before the 49ers reconvene for their only mandatory minicamp, scheduled for June 10–11. After that, they will break until training camp in late July.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Brock Purdy on impact of Christian McCaffrey's injury against Falcons
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey appeared poised for a big game Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. He opened the contest with three carries for 28 yards and two receptions for 40 yards, helping the 49ers reach first-and-goal at the 5-yard line on their... -
49ers injury updates: John Lynch discusses Mike Evans, Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey
The San Francisco 49ers were without several key contributors due to injuries when they faced the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The loss marked the team's first defeat of the season, but there is optimism in Santa Clara that reinforcements could arrive after the bye week. One of... -
49ers get positive injury update on Christian McCaffrey after loss to Falcons
The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first loss of the 2026 season on Sunday, falling 29-20 to the Atlanta Falcons on the road and dropping to 6-1. However, there was some positive news following the Week 7 loss, as the 49ers appeared to avoid any significant new... -
Four years on: Analzying RB Christian McCaffrey's impact since 49ers trade
Everyone remembers where they were the day the San Francisco 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey. For me, it was a usual cold and crisp October day in the midst of autumn in the UK, and believe it or not, I was packing my suitcase for my very first trip to the City by the Bay...