The 2024 season started unfavorably for Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers. Initially sidelined by calf and Achilles injuries, he was later diagnosed with bilateral Achilles tendonitis, leading to his placement on injured reserve during the early weeks of the season. McCaffrey's return in Week 10 proved short-lived as he sustained a knee injury, cutting his season to a mere 50 carries for 202 rushing yards and no touchdowns—significantly lower than his prior Offensive Player of the Year performance.

Now, as the 49ers look ahead, head coach Kyle Shanahan has expressed confidence in McCaffrey's recovery, indicating that he is healthy and ready to contribute. However, the coaching staff must balance workloads, especially considering McCaffrey's heavy usage in past seasons. Notably, he played over 80% of the snaps in the games he participated in last year, raising concerns about his long-term durability.