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After a challenging 2024 season plagued by injuries, Christian McCaffrey enters the offseason program boasting ‘zero restrictions.’ The star running back for the San Francisco 49ers had a tough year, participating in only four games.
McCaffrey faced significant setbacks, missing the first eight games due to Achilles tendinitis. A further blow came when he sustained a right knee injury, sidelining him for the last five games of the season.
On the first day of the offseason program for the 49ers, McCaffrey expressed his optimism, stating, ‘I’m feeling great. It’s been such a smooth process, a lot of hard work. As soon as that injury happened in Buffalo, my goal was to not miss a day of OTAs and to return fully ready without any hindrances. That’s where I’m at.’
He confirmed that he had fully recovered from both the Achilles and posterior cruciate ligament injuries he endured in Buffalo on December 1. Ready to train at ‘full speed,’ he is looking forward to a productive offseason.
This offseason is particularly eventful for McCaffrey, as he and his wife, Olivia Culpo, are anticipating the arrival of their first child. Balancing personal life with professional aspirations, he is enthusiastic about what lies ahead.
The 2024 season was undeniably frustrating for McCaffrey. After injuring his Achilles tendon early in training camp, he only managed to rush for 202 yards on 50 carries across the four games he played. This performance starkly contrasts with his remarkable 2023 season, where he claimed the AP Offensive Player of the Year title.
In 2023, McCaffrey led the NFL, amassing a total of 2,023 yards from scrimmage and tying for the league lead with 21 touchdowns. Such achievements now fuel his motivation as he aims to return to peak form.
Prior to his injuries in 2024, McCaffrey had a relatively healthy run, missing only one game across the 2022 and 2023 seasons—a minor Week 18 game in 2023 due to a sore calf. This recent injury setback came after a history of missing a total of 23 games during his last two full seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
Meanwhile, Niners standout linebacker Fred Warner also shared his recovery updates, stating he has now fully healed from a broken bone in his ankle that plagued him throughout the last season. Warner played through the injury without missing any games and has secured his third consecutive All-Pro honors.
‘I feel great,’ Warner said. ‘The ankle’s a thing of the past now, thank God, because that was tough to deal with all season. But I feel great now.’
As training camp approaches, the 49ers continue to solidify their roster. Recent transactions include the signing of defensive linemen Evan Anderson and Alex Barrett, linebacker Jalen Graham, and tight end Brayden Willis to one-year exclusive rights contracts. This strategic approach aims to enhance their prospects ahead of the new season.
In addition, the team announced that Dustin Perry has been appointed as the vice president of player health and performance. Perry enters his ninth season with the 49ers, having previously served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the past six years, focusing on improving player performance and recovery.
In summary, as the 49ers gear up for the upcoming season, McCaffrey’s determination and recovery from injuries may define the team’s path forward. With zero restrictions, both he and Warner hope to reestablish their impact on the field.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
