Christian McCaffrey showcased his full prowess at Tuesday’s practice, signaling the San Francisco 49ers’ readiness for the upcoming NFC divisional round clash against the Green Bay Packers.
In Week 17, McCaffrey incurred a mild right calf strain during the 49ers’ triumph over the Washington Commanders. The following week, he opted to sit out the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams due to the lingering effects of his injury, as the team had already secured the No. 1 seed with nothing at stake. This marked McCaffrey’s first absence from a game since joining the 49ers in October 2022.
Expressing his commitment, McCaffrey noted that if there were playoff implications, he would have played through the discomfort caused by his calf injury. However, the precautionary decision aimed to provide an additional week for recovery from the injury.
Tuesday’s practice marked McCaffrey’s third session since the regular season concluded, and head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed he was a full participant despite the ongoing rehabilitation from the calf injury. Despite missing practices earlier in the week, McCaffrey’s determination and readiness were highlighted by Shanahan.
“I think he’s geared up and ready to go, the same way he was last year,” Shanahan stated. “Christian is always the same. He’s always waiting for that moment, and he’s been waiting for this moment for a while.”
Despite sitting out the last game, McCaffrey secured the NFL rushing crown for the first time in his career, concluding the season with a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards and tying for first in total touchdowns (21). His return to full practice strength adds an exciting dimension to the 49ers’ playoff ambitions and marks a triumphant recovery from the challenges posed by his calf injury.