In a recent press conference, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided an update on star running back Christian McCaffrey’s health status, revealing that he is currently battling a calf injury and Achilles tendinitis. Shanahan emphasized the team’s cautious approach to managing McCaffrey’s injuries in order to prevent any further aggravation.
Shanahan recalled a similar calf injury that McCaffrey had suffered before a playoff game against the Packers in January, noting that McCaffrey had toughed it out and played through the pain. However, Shanahan stressed that the team is taking a more conservative approach during the regular season.
“I believe they’re similar, I know it was a calf then and it’s a calf now,” Shanahan explained during the conference call with reporters. “You guys can ask Christian more on that. Definitely, I believe if it was a playoff game he would’ve played. It’s not just the calf, it’s the Achilles, and the Achilles is tendinitis, and that stuff comes and goes.”
Shanahan praised McCaffrey’s dedication to his recovery and willingness to play through the injury if it were a playoff game. However, given that it’s only Week One of the regular season, Shanahan and the medical staff felt it was best to exercise caution.
“It’s something you’ve got to be very careful about,” Shanahan said. “Christian is very diligent about that stuff. If it was a playoff game, he made it very clear to me he believed he could go. But when you hear that type of stuff, and it’s not a playoff game, and it’s Week One, especially when you’re dealing with the lower extremities like that, it was a tough decision, but hearing all the words and stuff, in the long run it made it easy.”
When questioned about the lack of transparency regarding McCaffrey’s injury, Shanahan simply described the situation as “day to day” due to the calf and Achilles issues. Backup running back Jordan Mason had revealed after Monday night’s game that he only found out he would be starting on Friday, raising questions about the team’s communication regarding player injuries.
As the 49ers continue to monitor McCaffrey’s condition, Shanahan emphasized the importance of prioritizing his long-term health and well-being over short-term gains on the field. The team remains optimistic that McCaffrey will make a full recovery and return to action when he is fully fit and ready to contribute.