49ers' Christian McCaffrey battles Achilles tendonitis in both legs as injury news worsens

Things look even bleaker for San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that McCaffrey is suffering from Achilles tendonitis in both legs — not just one, according to ESPN.

ESPN's Adam Schefter adds that Shanahan said he had “suffered from bilateral Achilles tendonitis for some time, but the condition was more concentrated in one leg than the other.”

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) watches injured from the sidelines during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium. (David Gonzales-Imagn Images)

NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reported the news on Sunday's “49ers Talk Podcast.”

Schefter points out that this puts an even bigger dent in the 49ers' plans to let McCaffrey play this year, as it was always assumed it would just be an Achilles tendonitis issue.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY ADVISES A SPECIALIST IN GERMANY ON ACHILLES INJURIES AS 49ERS' PROBLEMS INCREASE

Now, it's unclear whether McCaffrey has actually been struggling all season with both legs affected by the illness or whether this is a new injury that has occurred in recent weeks.

Either way, it's not a place the dynamic running back wants to be as the 49ers look for redemption after last season's Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The 49ers have stated that they have no intention of bringing McCaffrey back this year, especially since his backup, Jordan Mason, has performed very well since taking over the starting role.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned that the 49ers plan to have McCaffrey begin physical therapy this week and they hope to increase his workload until he is ready to be released from injured reserve.

This came after McCaffrey traveled to Germany to see an Achilles tendon specialist about his injury. That caused further doubt and now there is this report of a second injury.

As a result, 49ers fans and McCaffrey fantasy team owners aren't getting the positive developments they wanted to hear when reports about him surface.

Running back Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 45-29. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Mason has performed well behind the line McCaffrey usually has success with, as he has the second-most rushing yards in the league with 447 through four games.

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