Christian McCaffrey Questionable After Ankle Soreness, Expects to Play in 49ers' Opener
Running back downplays injury after hurting ankle at Thursday practice but San Francisco will take a cautious approach given his recent injury history.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was listed as questionable for the team’s season opener in Seattle after suffering ankle soreness at Thursday’s practice, but he told reporters he expects to play and described the issue as "nothing serious."
Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed McCaffrey hurt himself during the session and said the team was monitoring the situation. McCaffrey, a former NFL Offensive Player of the Year, emphasized the club was being cautious because of his recent history of leg injuries.
"Nothing serious, I'll tell you that," McCaffrey said. "Like I said, I feel great about where I'm at. Unfortunately when you have the injury history that I have, sometimes when you don't practice, things get blown out of proportion. But like I said, I feel great." Shanahan and the 49ers medical staff said they would continue to evaluate McCaffrey in the lead-up to Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.
McCaffrey's most recent injury issues have drawn attention since a series of calf and Achilles problems limited his availability last season. He sat out part of last year's training camp with a calf complaint, then missed the 2024 season opener with bilateral Achilles tendinitis. After seeking treatment from a specialist in Germany, McCaffrey missed the opener and the following seven games, which curtailed his availability for the 49ers last year.
The 49ers did not immediately provide a definitive timeline for McCaffrey's recovery from the ankle soreness. The team is expected to follow standard NFL procedures, issuing updated injury reports and evaluating the running back in practice sessions and during the days before kickoff.
McCaffrey's presence is central to San Francisco's offensive plans; the team has managed his workload in the past to protect against recurrent leg issues. How the 49ers configure their backfield for the opener will depend on the outcome of the final evaluations, including any designation on the official gameday roster that the team files under NFL rules.
The 49ers travel to Seattle for the Sunday night matchup, and the organization, coaching staff and medical team have said they prefer a precautionary approach with players returning from prior significant injuries. Further updates on McCaffrey's status are expected as the team completes pregame preparations and releases its final injury report ahead of kickoff.