San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey has reportedly suffered another major injury setback.
The running back has already been ruled out for next week’s Thursday game against the Seattle Seahawks due to Achilles tendinitis. according to ESPN.
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year is eligible to return from injured reserve next week, but it is stated that he will not be activated by head coach Kyle Shanahan.
However, there is optimism that he could return in the near future after his injury did not flare up after some on-field practices this week.
McCaffrey, 28, currently suffers from bilateral Achilles tendonitis, meaning he is dealing with the problem in both legs, although the problem is said to be more common on one side.
Christian McCaffrey has already been ruled out for next week’s game against the Seahawks
ESPN also says that if he can maintain his progress on the practice field, McCaffrey could return for the Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 20.
If he misses that game, a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 27 is an option before the 49ers take a bye week. They will then return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 10.
The star running back recently took a flight to Germany to receive treatment for the issue, which has kept him out since Week 1 of the NFL season.
According to his father, former San Francisco catcher Ed, the injury was caused by working too hard on the practice field.
“Tendonitis is an overtraining injury, which means you train too hard or do too much, and it turns into tendinitis,” Ed said in the Ross Tucker Football Podcast.
The 49ers running back returned to the practice field this week as he battles Achilles tendonitis.
“If I would say Christian has a weakness, it’s that sometimes he has to protect himself from himself, in terms of training too much and doing too much.”
Achilles tendonitis is described by the Mayo Clinic as “an overuse injury to the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects the calf muscles at the back of the leg to the heel bone.”
Most cases can be treated with home care, while more severe cases can lead to Achilles tendon ruptures that may require surgery.
McCaffrey, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro, led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards last season.
He has four 1,000-yard rushing seasons and two 100-catch seasons in 91 games for the Carolina Panthers and 49ers.