49ers' Christian McCaffrey Visited Specialist in Germany for Achilles Injury

Christian McCaffrey is doing what he can to return to the field for the San Francisco 49ers.

Even if that means flying overseas.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said the running back went to Germany this past weekend in order to see a specialist for the Achilles injury that has sidelined him to start the 2024 campaign, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

It was revealed just hours before the 49ers' Week 1 game against the New York Jets that McCaffrey wouldn't play, but the team has since placed him on injured reserve.

That means the earliest he can come back is the Week 6 game against the Seattle Seahawks, although that is on a Thursday on Oct. 10. Jordan Mason has also filled in admirably for the injured star with 324 yards and two touchdowns on the ground through three games.

Still, McCaffrey is arguably the best running back in the league when healthy and took home the Offensive Player of the Year last season with 1,459 rushing yards, 564 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns.

The 28-year-old led the league in rushing yards, yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns while helping lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

Just missing one player of McCaffrey's caliber alone would be a problem, but San Francisco has been hampered by injuries in the early going this season. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Talanoa Hufanga and Charvarius Ward were among those dealing with setbacks for the team's Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

As if that wasn't enough, Shanahan told reporters Monday defensive tackle Javon Hargrave will miss the rest of the campaign with a partially torn triceps. Quarterback Brock Purdy is considered day-to-day with back soreness, while linebacker Dee Winters was diagnosed with an ankle injury.

San Francisco is just 1-2 on the season and is already facing plenty of adversity.

The eventual return of McCaffrey would be a major lift to the offense, although flying to Europe to see a specialist doesn't exactly suggest he will immediately be 100 percent.

The 49ers will attempt to tread water in the meantime and host the New England Patriots on Sunday.