Christian McCaffrey Says He Could've Returned from Knee Injury If 49ers Made Playoffs

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey told ESPN's Nick Wagoner that he is "definitely close" to being fully recovered from his season-ending knee injury and would have been able to return to the field had the Niners made it to the playoffs.

McCaffrey added that he will continue his rehab and is expected to be good to go for organized team practice activity, per Wagoner.

The 28-year-old missed the final five games of the season after suffering a PCL injury in his right knee during the 49ers' Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He had already dealt with a delayed start to the 2024 season, not playing until Week 10 due to a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis.

McCaffrey's near return was frustrating, especially as he had just begun to rediscover his form before suffering the injury.

"But it was good that it happened because I got to taste it again and understand what I can do," McCaffrey told reporters.

Coming off a Super Bowl loss and facing a 6-11 season, missing out on the postseason was certainly difficult for the 49ers to endure, especially for McCaffrey, who could only watch from the sideline for much of the season.

"We had a really tough year and I've been a part of tough years and I've been a part of good years," McCaffrey told reporters. "I can tell you one thing though, there's only one team happy at the end of the year and everyone else is really pissed off whether you lose the Super Bowl or whether you go 6-11 or whatever it is."

With just four games under his belt this season, McCaffrey finished with 202 rushing yards on 50 carries, adding 146 receiving yards.

"Its tough when you're not out there, I don't want to say you don't have a right, it's just tough because you're not contributing and so that's one of the most frustrating things about it is you're not helping," McCaffrey told reporters. "For me it's just about being a good teammate where I can be and trying to come back as quick as possible and unfortunately sometimes those are the only things you can do when you're hurt."

Despite the disastrous season, McCaffrey is looking forward to the offseason and shifting both his and the team's mindset.

"I think the mind shift now has to shift quick. From, this was a tough year let's learn from the mistakes and lets get ready for OTA's because we don't have time to mope on this year and just like last year, we didn't have time to think about the Super Bowl and that's easier said than done," McCaffrey said. "But we've gotta get ready for this next year for the guys who will be here and come back hungry."