49ers' Christian McCaffrey has Achilles tendinitis [View all]

[Auggie]

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed Tuesday that Christian McCaffrey had Achilles tendinitis, which the team “has to be very careful about.”

The 49ers exercised caution with the All-Pro running back, making him inactive for Monday’s season-opening win against the Jets, after Shanahan indicated he was involved in medical discussions about the risks involved with McCaffrey playing.

Two words that, ultimately, likely made sitting the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year an easy call: torn Achilles.

That’s according to Dr. Kenneth Jung, a foot and ankle surgeon who is a consultant to the Los Angeles Rams. Jung, of course, isn’t privy to McCaffrey’s medical file. But he noted more serious cases of Achilles tendinitis, an overuse injury that causes inflammation, can involve microscopic degeneration, small tears in the fibers in the middle of the tendon that can increase the odds of a season-ending injury.

Link (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/49ers-sitting-christian-mccaffrey-reflects-19760326.php

According to the link, the best treatment for Achilles tendinitis involves rest and physical therapy. Injections, such as platelet-rich plasma, and stem-cell treatment, are non-surgical options that can be used to promote healing in serious cases.

The article suggests that 49ers are going to be very careful with McCaffrey. The true condition of the tendon is an unknown; even working out and doing things to maintain fitness can cause aggravation.

My guess: McCaffrey will be out for a while.