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CBS News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
49ers' Christian McCaffrey hopes longer offseason leads to better health in 2025
The biggest beneficiary of an extended offseason for the San Francisco 49ers just might have been star running back Christian McCaffrey. A year after he was limited to just four games because of injuries to his Achilles tendon and knee, the engine of San Francisco's high-powered offense was on the practice field for the offseason program and is hoping to get back to the form that made him AP Offensive Player of the Year during a run to the Super Bowl in the 2023 season. A healthy McCaffrey would be a key component for San Francisco to rebound from a 6-11 season that at least provided a side benefit of more time off in the winter following three straight years of long playoff runs. "Being fully transparent, obviously last year didn't go the way I wanted," McCaffrey said. "It didn't go the way anyone wanted. But having this time off has allowed me to start from scratch and have the time where I can build a base again, come into OTAs, play football and now get back into it mentally, emotionally, physically in all ways. It was much needed and I'm happy we had it." McCaffrey plans to spend the long break before training camp starts in late July staying in shape and becoming a father. McCaffrey and his wife, model Olivia Culpo, are expecting their first child "right around the corner." McCaffrey looked fresh during the offseason program after sitting it out last year as he recovered from a grueling season and waited for a new contract that came last June. McCaffrey had 798 touches from scrimmage in 2023-24 in the regular season and playoffs — more than 100 more than any other player in the league during that span. That workload likely contributed to the Achilles tendinitis that sidelined McCaffrey early in training camp last season and forced him to miss the first eight games of the season. He then injured his posterior cruciate ligament in his fourth game back and missed the final five games of the season. With McCaffrey on the sideline, an offense that was the most dangerous in the league following his arrival midway through the 2022 season took a step back last season as the Niners struggled overall. Coach Kyle Shanahan said he is aware that he needs to manage McCaffrey's workload this summer in order "to protect him from himself" and make sure he's healthy and fresh when the games count. "He is a psycho in a good way and so like he does everything imaginable every single day," Shanahan said. "Last year he couldn't because he was battling injury all last year. And this year he is healthy so he is right back to being who he is always been and it's really fun to watch." McCaffrey, who turned 29 earlier this month, said the key as he ages is finding the "middle ground" of doing the intense work to get ready for a season and making sure he doesn't wear down early. But once he's on the field, he knows only one speed. "My job is to put my body in the best position it can to go out there and be me," he said. "There's a lot of noise and sometimes there's a lot of things going on. My job is to go 100% every play and continue to get better. I just try to focus on that."
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Christian McCaffrey hopes longer offseason leads to better health in 2025 for 49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The biggest beneficiary of an extended offseason for the San Francisco 49ers just might have been star running back Christian McCaffrey. A year after he was limited to just four games because of injuries to his Achilles tendon and knee, the engine of San Francisco's high-powered offense was on the practice field for the offseason program and is hoping to get back to the form that made him AP Offensive Player of the Year during a run to the Super Bowl in the 2023 season. A healthy McCaffrey would be a key component for San Francisco to rebound from a 6-11 season that at least provided a side benefit of more time off in the winter following three straight years of long playoff runs. 'Being fully transparent, obviously last year didn't go the way I wanted,' McCaffrey said. 'It didn't go the way anyone wanted. But having this time off has allowed me to start from scratch and have the time where I can build a base again, come into OTAs, play football and now get back into it mentally, emotionally, physically in all ways. It was much needed and I'm happy we had it.' McCaffrey plans to spend the long break before training camp starts in late July staying in shape and becoming a father. McCaffrey and his wife, model Olivia Culpo, are expecting their first child 'right around the corner.' McCaffrey looked fresh during the offseason program after sitting it out last year as he recovered from a grueling season and waited for a new contract that came last June. McCaffrey had 798 touches from scrimmage in 2023-24 in the regular season and playoffs — more than 100 more than any other player in the league during that span. That workload likely contributed to the Achilles tendinitis that sidelined McCaffrey early in training camp last season and forced him to miss the first eight games of the season. He then injured his posterior cruciate ligament in his fourth game back and missed the final five games of the season. With McCaffrey on the sideline, an offense that was the most dangerous in the league following his arrival midway through the 2022 season took a step back last season as the Niners struggled overall. Coach Kyle Shanahan said he is aware that he needs to manage McCaffrey's workload this summer in order 'to protect him from himself' and make sure he's healthy and fresh when the games count. 'He is a psycho in a good way and so like he does everything imaginable every single day,' Shanahan said. 'Last year he couldn't because he was battling injury all last year. And this year he is healthy so he is right back to being who he is always been and it's really fun to watch.' McCaffrey, who turned 29 earlier this month, said the key as he ages is finding the 'middle ground' of doing the intense work to get ready for a season and making sure he doesn't wear down early. But once he's on the field, he knows only one speed. 'My job is to put my body in the best position it can to go out there and be me,' he said. 'There's a lot of noise and sometimes there's a lot of things going on. My job is to go 100% every play and continue to get better. I just try to focus on that.' ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Christian McCaffrey returns to 49ers practice, showing no ill effects from injuries
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers returned to the practice field this week with a very important piece back after missing most of last season with injuries. Running back Christian McCaffrey is fully recovered from the Achilles' and knee injuries that limited him to just four games last season in a major boost to the Niners. McCaffrey took part in the first team practice open to the media this season on Thursday, showing no ill effects from the injuries that led to a frustrating 2024 season. 'Christian is as ready as any player I've ever been around,' coach Kyle Shanahan said. 'When he gets hurt, he's got to rehab and get better. Right now he's 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 is excited on how healthy he feels and the fact that he can get out there.' McCaffrey looked like his old self in drills, showing the speed and explosiveness that helped him win AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. McCaffrey skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason last year awaiting a new contract and barely got any time on the field. He went down early in training camp with Achilles' tendinitis that sidelined him for the first eight games. He returned and played four games before injuring his right knee in Week 13 in Buffalo, then missed the final five games. He rushed for just 202 yards on 50 carries in four games and was unable to match his sensational 2023 season. The Niners hope having a healthy McCaffrey will help them bounce back from a 6-11 season in 2024. 'He's still really good at football, so that's exciting,' tight end George Kittle said. 'One year removed from being Offensive Player of the Year. Still very good at football, looks great. ... Having Christian out there is awesome.' McCaffrey won the award after leading the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and tying for the league lead with 21 touchdowns. McCaffrey had missed just one game combined in 2022-23 — a meaningless Week 18 game in the 2023 season for San Francisco when he had a sore calf — after missing 23 games because of injuries in his final two full seasons with Carolina. The Niners have had good attendance this offseason thanks in part to getting lucrative contract extensions done early with stars Kittle, quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner. That's in sharp contrast to recent years when contract disputes didn't get resolved until after the start of training camp or later. 'I'm a huge fan of getting all the things done early,' Kittle said. 'I'm glad they decided to do that. That's awesome for us because now we have everybody in the building that's just focused on playing football, and focusing on just getting a little bit better every single day. I'm huge fan us getting them all done. It's good for football because now all we're focused on is football.' The one notable absence has been star left tackle Trent Williams, who took part in the start of the offseason program but has been away the past couple of weeks. Shanahan said he expected Williams back soon with mandatory minicamp starting June 10. Injury updates The Niners have several players still recovering from injuries and not taking part in the start of offseason practices, including receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and safety Malik Mustapha (knee). Shanahan also said that safety Ji'Ayir Brown had ankle surgery in the offseason and will be out until training camp. Receiver Ricky Pearsall injured his hamstring during offseason workouts and likely won't be ready until training camp. Rookies Alfred Collins (calf) and Marques Sigle (unknown) also are currently sidelined with injuries. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos is also away from the team awaiting the birth of his child. ___ AP NFL:
