One of the biggest focal points for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025 is ensuring All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is fully healthy.
It's a reasonable concern. After all, a year removed from his Offensive Player of the Year campaign in 2023, McCaffrey ended up missing the first half of the season with Achilles issues, ultimately appearing in four games before being shelved with a season-ending PCL injury in his knee.
Understandably disappointing. And potentially concerning for the following year.
Yet McCaffrey isn't worried at all about lingering effects or complications from 2024's injury-shortened season. Participating fully in both the Niners' organized team activities and mandatory minicamp sessions, the running back silenced any questions about his health entering the upcoming season.
"I feel great," McCaffrey told reporters after day two of minicamp, via ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "I think this offseason I spent a lot of time kind of building back a base starting from scratch, so a lot of it was rehab and wanted to put myself in a position where I didn't miss a day of OTAs and I could practice and play football again, be healthy and not miss a day, and I did that."
In short, McCaffrey's aim was to "not miss a day." He accomplished that crucial objective.
The statement jives with statements made earlier in the offseason that suggested a clean slate of health, too, which pointed at the dual-threat weapon was going to put all that happened in 2024 in the rearview mirror.
Considering San Francisco's offense functions so much better with him in the picture, it's safe to say a fully healthy McCaffrey will all but ensure the 49ers' frustrating last-place finish in the NFC West won't repeat itself this go-around.