Schefter: 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey’s Injury Return Timeline is ‘Major Question’

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 30, 2024

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

At this point, there are more questions than answers when it comes to a timeline for San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.

“Questions persist about Christian McCaffrey,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday. “He’s dealing with Achilles tendonitis, actually in both legs. Both legs, not just one. That’s been an ongoing and recurring issue. So there remains a major question as to when McCaffrey will be back for the 49ers.”

NFL on ESPN @ESPNNFLThe Achilles tendonitis that Christian McCaffrey is suffering in his right leg is now in both legs, so there remains a major question on when he will return, according to @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/6Z4ZBwOW6a

General manager John Lynch addressed the situation during an appearance on KNBR on Friday (h/t Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area) and called the injury “Bilateral Achilles tendonitis” while explaining what the thought process was putting the running back on injured reserve.

“So the plan was to give it the time to do that,” he said. “And then at some point in a thoughtful way, to ramp him back up. So what he does early and where he goes, he’s got people who work on his body and have for a long time.

“We work and consult with him on that and now Christian’s back here and at some point, we’ll get back, we’ll have to hit certain markers and we’ll try the ramp up and God willing the thing has quieted down and we can build him back up in a really smart and thoughtful way.”

McCaffrey is yet to play this season after he was unstoppable in 2023 as the Offensive Player of the Year.

He helped lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl with 1,459 rushing yards, 564 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns, and the team surely expected and hoped for similar production this year. Instead, his situation is up in the air as the reigning NFC champions attempt to build momentum amid a 2-2 start.

The three-time Pro Bowler even flew to Germany to see a specialist for the Achilles injury.

If there is any silver lining for the 49ers, it is the production of backup Jordan Mason. Mason has filled in admirably for McCaffrey with 447 rushing yards, 57 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the first four games of the campaign.

He is averaging better than 100 yards per game on the ground and has kept the offense afloat even with McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel dealing with some early injuries.

Still, San Francisco will be better equipped to chase a second straight Super Bowl appearance if McCaffrey is healthy and on the field, even if he is part of a one-two punch with Mason. When that will happen is still a question mark, though, heading into Week 5.