The San Francisco 49ers missed the playoffs last season, in large part due to Christian McCaffrey being injured. His 2023 season helped lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl, but it may have had long-lasting repercussions.
In 2023, McCaffrey was an All-Pro, MVP Award finalist, Pro Bowler and the Offensive Player of the Year. He led the league in rushing yards, scrimmage yards, touchdowns and, most concerning, touches. To say McCaffrey was the biggest part of the 49ers offense would be an understatement. ESPN's Ben Solak revealed that his 2023 usage may have a lasting effect, based on his 2024 stats.
"The four games in which McCaffrey played last season were concerning," wrote Solak. "NFL Next Gen Stats had his maximum speeds in those four games at 16.4, 16.7, 16.1 and 17.4 mph. For context, that 17.4 mph mark would have been his fifth worst in a game during the 2023 season, when he was the MVP of the 49ers' Super Bowl-bound offense. He clearly looked less springy in 2024 than he did in 2023; in fact, he looked like a player who had a cool 417 touches in the previous season.
"It's hard for running backs' bodies to endure the level of use McCaffrey endured in 2023, but not impossible. We'll know quickly if his body has bounced back for 2025 after missing time for Achilles and knee injuries in 2024."
McCaffrey is just 28, but there is a belief around the league that when a running back gets to 30, they start to decline. While it is not a universal truth, the idea that such a physically demanding position takes a toll on the body with age is not surprising. McCaffrey has dealt with many injuries in his career, but last season's injuries are more alarming.
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He was coming off a year where there were questions on whether he was overused, and now the underlying numbers show he has lost a step. OTAs and training camp will be key for the 49ers in evaluating his health.
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