San Francisco 49ers' star running back Christian McCaffrey has traveled to Germany to consult with a specialist regarding his Achilles tendinitis. The issue has plagued him since early in training camp, leading to his placement on injured reserve at the start of the season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed McCaffrey's trip, expressing hope that the specialist can aid in his recovery process.
McCaffrey sustained the Achilles injury early in training camp, causing him to miss four weeks of practice. Despite returning on a limited basis before the season opener, he was ultimately unable to play and was placed on injured reserve on September 14 after experiencing pain in the Achilles tendon following a practice session. While eligible to return for a Week 6 game against Seattle, his status for that game remains uncertain.
The All-Pro running back, who led the NFL in yards from scrimmage last season, has faced injury challenges in the past. After missing 23 games in his final two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, McCaffrey had been relatively healthy over the past two seasons, missing only one game due to injury.
The 49ers have been dealing with multiple injuries early in the season, with key players like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle missing time. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is likely out for the season with a partially torn triceps that will require surgery. While there is a slim chance of his return for a deep playoff run, the team is preparing to move forward without him.
Quarterback Brock Purdy is listed as day-to-day with a sore back, while Kittle is expected to return this week after missing a game due to a hamstring injury. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl, is anticipated to make a comeback in the second half of the season.
The 49ers are navigating a challenging start to the season with a series of injuries impacting key players, but remain optimistic about the road ahead.
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