The most important beneficiary of an prolonged NFL offseason for the San Francisco 49ers simply might need been star operating again Christian McCaffrey.
A 12 months after he was restricted to simply 4 video games due to accidents to his Achilles tendon and knee, the engine of San Francisco’s high-powered offense was on the follow subject for the offseason program and is hoping to get again to the shape that made him AP Offensive Participant of the 12 months throughout a run to the Tremendous Bowl within the 2023 season.
A wholesome McCaffrey could be a key part for San Francisco to rebound from a 6-11 season that a minimum of supplied a aspect good thing about extra break day within the winter following three straight years of lengthy playoff runs.
“Being absolutely clear, clearly, final 12 months didn’t go the way in which I needed,” McCaffrey stated. “It didn’t go the way in which anybody needed. However having this break day has allowed me to start out from scratch and have the time the place I can construct a base once more, come into OTAs, play soccer and now get again into it mentally, emotionally, bodily in all methods. It was a lot wanted and I’m completely satisfied we had it.”
McCaffrey plans to spend the lengthy break earlier than coaching camp begins in late July staying in form and turning into a father. McCaffrey and his spouse, mannequin Olivia Culpo, expect their first baby “proper across the nook.”
McCaffrey regarded contemporary through the offseason program after sitting it out final 12 months as he recovered from a grueling season and waited for a brand new contract that got here final June.
McCaffrey had 798 touches from scrimmage in 2023-24 within the common season and playoffs — greater than 100 greater than every other participant within the league throughout that span.
That workload probably contributed to the Achilles tendinitis that sidelined McCaffrey early in coaching camp final season and compelled him to overlook the primary eight video games of the season.
He then injured his posterior cruciate ligament in his fourth sport again and missed the ultimate 5 video games of the season.
With McCaffrey on the sideline, an offense that was essentially the most harmful within the league following his arrival halfway by the 2022 season took a step again final season because the Niners struggled general.
Coach Kyle Shanahan stated he’s conscious that he must handle McCaffrey’s workload this summer time so as “to guard him from himself” and ensure he is wholesome and contemporary when the video games depend.
“He does all the things conceivable each single day,” Shanahan stated. “Final 12 months he couldn’t as a result of he was battling damage all final 12 months, and this 12 months he’s wholesome, so he’s proper again to being who he has at all times been — and it’s actually enjoyable to look at.”
McCaffrey, who turned 29 earlier this month, stated the important thing as he ages is discovering the “center floor” of doing the extreme work to prepare for a season and ensuring he does not put on down early.
However as soon as he is on the sphere, he is aware of just one pace.
“My job is to place my physique in the perfect place it will probably to go on the market and be me,” he stated. “There’s loads of noise and generally there [are] loads of issues occurring. My job is to go 100% each play and proceed to get higher. I simply attempt to concentrate on that.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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