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The San Francisco 49ers have added Christian McCaffrey to their injury report with a calf injury in what is a major scare before their first game of the season on Sunday.
The running back, 29, missed 13 games last season with Achilles tendonitis followed by a knee ligament tear. In 2023, he was the driving force behind a team that reached the Super Bowl before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.
He practiced fully on Wednesday, so Thursday's development where he was limited is a huge concern before Sunday's game on the road against Seattle Seahawks.
Given his recent history, head coach Kyle Shanahan may not want to risk him with a long season ahead - his availability will, without question, define the success of the 49ers in 2025.
He missed eight games last year with Achilles tendonitis that, in what will potentially be a worrying trend for 49ers fans, was first listed as a calf issue last year.
When he returned, he only managed four appearances before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in a snow game against Buffalo Bills.
Christian McCaffrey is battling a calf injury just days before his NFL season is set to start
McCaffrey had a great offseason, welcoming his first child with wife Olivia Culpo
McCaffrey had looked in good shape in 49ers camp preparing for the new campaign and after an offseason where he and wife Olivia Culpo welcomed their first child.
'I see Christian looking the same as he always has looked,' head coach Shanahan said of his star man on KNBR radio in August. 'He came in healthy this year.
'He had a hell of an offseason. He's had a hell of a training camp, and I believe that's going to lead to a hell of a year.'
As per the NFL's website, McCaffrey had been expected to speak to reporters in San Francisco on Thursday but did not take to the podium.
After a road game against the Seahawks, the 49ers meet New Orleans Saints in Louisiana on Week 2 and host Arizona Cardinals in their first hom game in Week 3.
