San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey has traveled to Germany to consult with a specialist regarding his Achilles tendinitis, an injury that has troubled him since early in training camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the trip, expressing hope that the specialist could help McCaffrey with his recovery. McCaffrey initially injured his Achilles during training camp, missing four weeks of practice before making a limited return ahead of the season opener on September 9 against the New York Jets. However, after experiencing pain during a practice, he was placed on injured reserve on September 14.
While McCaffrey is eligible to return for the 49ers’ Week 6 matchup against Seattle, there is no indication that he is ready to play. Last season, McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and tied for the league lead with 21 touchdowns, earning AP Offensive Player of the Year honors.
After missing significant time in his last two seasons with Carolina, McCaffrey had remained mostly healthy over the past two years, sitting out only one game in the 2022-23 season due to a minor calf issue.
The 49ers have been plagued by injuries early in the season, with key players like receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle missing time. Additionally, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is likely out for the season due to a partially torn triceps, though there is a slim chance he could return if the team makes a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, quarterback Brock Purdy is day-to-day with a sore back following the team’s recent loss, but an MRI came back clean. Kittle is expected to return this week after recovering from a hamstring injury, while linebacker Dre Greenlaw is projected to return later in the season after tearing his Achilles in the Super Bowl.
