San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey reportedly will play in their season-opening clash with the Seattle Seahawks.
McCaffrey, the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year who missed most of a nightmare 2024 season with bilateral Achilles tendinitis, popped up on the 49ers’ injury report on Thursday with a calf issue.
The running back subsequently missed practice on Friday, raising doubts about his availability for the Week 1 matchup with their NFC West rivals.
However, McCaffrey quickly allayed such concerns, insisting he would feature as the 49ers look to make a hot start in their quest to return to contention atop the NFC.
McCaffrey made it clear he planned to play, telling reporters on Friday: “Nothing serious, I’ll tell you that. I feel great about where I’m at.
“Unfortunately when you have the injury history that I have, sometimes when you don’t practice, things get blown out of proportion. But like I said, I feel great.”
And ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that McCaffey will indeed suit up for the Niners, with a source saying he is “good to go”.
McCaffrey was limited to just four games in 2024 as the 49ers slumped to a 6-11 record following their Super Bowl loss in 2023.
The previous year saw McCaffrey rack up 1,459 rushing yards and 564 receiving yards, scoring 21 total touchdowns. No player in the NFL had more touches than McCaffrey’s 339 in the 2023 regular season.
San Francisco will hope for a return to health and form in 2025, but traded with the Washington Commanders for Brian Robinson Jr, who will serve as McCaffrey’s primary backup and potentially take some of the burden off his shoulders.
