Anticipated for 9 weeks, Christian McCaffrey’s return to motion has produced largely underwhelming outcomes.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan believes there have been some unrealistic expectations, however likewise admits McCaffrey’s been more durable on himself than anybody — and that is what makes CMC excellent.

Following a Week 12 loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers during which he rushed for simply 31 yards — his lowest output since Week 4 of the 2022 season with the Carolina Panthers — McCaffrey stewed at his locker. It was a response that his head coach appreciates as a result of he thinks it fuels his All-Professional again.

“I believe that is what makes Christian nice,” Shanahan mentioned Wednesday, by way of crew transcript. “Christian, I’ve instructed you guys, he is a psycho in one of the simplest ways potential. Christian had a fumble there on the finish of the sport. It doesn’t matter what I say to him, he’s not going to forgive himself for a fumble for most likely the remainder of his life, he’ll nonetheless be mad at himself for that. That is simply how he rolls. That is his mindset in every thing. You must see him in OTAs, if he drops the ball and the way he acts after that and apologizing to us later within the day for a dropped ball in OTAs on interval one. That is what makes him nice and it means so much to him.”

That greatness has not often been glimpsed in his three 2024 video games, although. It was briefly seen within the fourth quarter of the Packers loss when McCaffrey gained 23 yards on a Brandon Allen cross. Nevertheless it ended with a misplaced fumble, as talked about by Shanahan.

Whether or not CMC (ever) strikes previous the gaffe stays to be seen, however seeing the reigning AP Offensive Participant of the Yr return to type could be a serious carry for a flatlining 49ers crew that is 5-6, slipping out of playoff competition and has misplaced two straight coming into Sunday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Payments. Shanahan would not imagine that is been a practical expectation for a participant who missed coaching camp and the primary eight video games coping with Achilles and calf accidents.

“The hypothesis on Christian, I believe, is a bit bit unfair to him,” Shanahan mentioned. “Christian’s enjoying very properly, he’s enjoying his ass off. However to suppose a man who misses a whole offseason is simply going to be the very same the day he will get again could be unfair to any participant on this planet, I really feel like.

“Guys who miss offseasons and miss coaching camp, normally it takes them a bit little bit of time firstly of the yr to get again into how they have been the yr earlier than, not to mention lacking half the season additionally on high of that. So, I believe Christian’s doing a hell of a job. However to only suppose him coming again in Week 8 with not having the ability to do something for the final 9 months or no matter it’s, and to suppose he is simply going to be in MVP type is a really unrealistic expectation.”

Sitting at 149 dashing yards in his three video games up to now, there’s loads of room for McCaffrey to method the star form he is showcased so many instances earlier than. Sadly, there may not be loads of time.

With accidents to the likes of Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Brandon Aiyuk and others compounding issues, simply how honest it’s to count on top-flight CMC to take off may not matter. The 49ers clearly want extra manufacturing from him, and Shanahan actually is not shying away from calling his quantity. Since McCaffrey’s been again, he is carried the ball 43 instances, whereas Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo have a mixed seven makes an attempt in that span.

“We’re not only a massive three-man-rotation crew, particularly when you could have a solidified starter,” Shanahan mentioned. “We’re not making an attempt to get Christian off the sphere extra. We wish to maintain him contemporary and maintain him at his greatest, however Christian’s additionally a man who will get higher as he goes. He is a man who feels much more comfy being on the market.”