NFL Rumors: Christian McCaffrey Returns to 49ers Practice amid Calf Injury

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 3, 2024

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey looks to be healed from the calf injury that hampered him for most of the summer.

McCaffrey returned to practice on Tuesday with six days remaining before the Niners open the regular season against the New York Jets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reported.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the running back’s expected return.

McCaffrey dealt with injury concerns before the season even started, as a calf setback forced him to miss time during training camp and the preseason. He also played a combined 10 games during the 2020 and 2021 seasons when he was on the Carolina Panthers.

Yet he bounced back from a durability standpoint of late and appeared in all 17 games in 2022 and 16 games last season.

All McCaffrey did in 2023 was lead the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards while adding 564 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns. He was rewarded with the Offensive Player of the Year as a result, adding to a resume that also includes three Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro nods.

While the 49ers won’t be able to replicate his overall versatility and ability to completely change a game every time he touches the football, they do have some other options at running back if he is sidelined.

Jordan Mason has averaged 5.6 yards per carry in limited usage over the past two seasons. Rookie Isaac Guerendo had one of the best athletic profiles of any running back in the 2024 draft.