Troubling new report emerges about Christian McCaffrey’s injury

Aug 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers expressed optimism last week that Christian McCaffrey will soon be able to ramp up his rehab, but a new report has once again raised concern about whether the star running back will play at all in 2024.

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area discussed McCaffrey’s injury during the latest episode of the reporter’s “49ers Talk” podcast, which was released on Sunday. The belief to this point was that McCaffrey has been dealing with an injury to his Achilles. According to Maiocco, McCaffrey actually has Achilles tendonitis in both of his legs.

Maiocco says the condition is known as “bilateral Achilles tendonitis.”

That obviously is not news to the 49ers, but it won’t make fans feel any better about McCaffrey’s timeline for recovery.

McCaffrey traveled to Germany last week to meet with a specialist about his condition. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media said on Sunday that the trip overseas went well and that the 49ers expect McCaffrey back in another month or so.

The Niners still have not placed any timeline on when McCaffrey might return. It seems like they genuinely do not know when the All-Pro back will be ready.

McCaffrey is eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 6, but he is going to be out longer than that.

Jordan Mason has taken over as San Francisco’s lead back and done an excellent job. The third-year back rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown in San Francisco’s 30-13 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday. Mason has 447 rushing yards on the season, which is second in the NFL behind only Derrick Henry.