Christian McCaffrey Sparks Panic at 49ers’ First Practice After Alarming Return
The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their first open practice of the offseason on Thursday, offering fans a glimpse of star running back Christian McCaffrey for the first time since November. After missing most of last season due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis and a later PCL injury, the team is expected to ease McCaffrey back into action gradually.
While excitement surrounded his return, some observers left with concerns. Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn noted that McCaffrey didn’t look quite right during Day 1 of organized team activities (OTAs). His movement appeared cautious—perhaps a sign of lingering effects from his injuries or just offseason rust.
Still, with nearly four months to go before the regular season, there’s little reason for the 49ers—or McCaffrey—to rush anything. At almost 29 years old and with close to 2,000 career touches, it’s no surprise the team is treating their offensive engine with care.
It’s fair to wonder how much mileage McCaffrey has left, but Day 1 of non-padded OTAs isn’t the time to jump to conclusions. The 49ers know how valuable he is to quarterback Brock Purdy and the offense as a whole. Until then, all eyes remain on how McCaffrey progresses through the summer.
