SANTA CLARA — Christian McCaffrey is back for the 49ers’ playoff run.
Having spent the past two weeks recovering from a Dec. 31 calf strain, McCaffrey will fully participate today in the 49ers’ first practice since learning they’ll host the Green Bay Packers in Saturday night’s divisional-round playoff game at Levi’s Stadium.
McCaffrey won the NFL’s regular-season rushing title in wire-to-wire fashion, and even though the 49ers kept him out of their Week 18 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, his 1,459 yards offered a 292-yard cushion over runner-up Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans.
“He’s geared up and ready to go,” coach Kyle Shanahan said of McCaffrey, who did not participate in the 49ers’ two practices last week. “Same as last year, and same when he was probably 5 years old. Christian’s always the same and waiting for that moment and he’s been waiting for this moment for a while.”
McCaffrey scored in each of the 49ers’ three playoff games, and, in fact, he’s scored in four career postseason appearances, seeing how he had a touchdown catch in the 2017 Carolina Panthers’ wild-card defeat. He’s also scored in both of his career games against the Packers, when with the Panthers in 2017 and ’19.
Aaron Jones, McCaffrey’s counterpart on the Packers, led all rushers over the NFL’s wild-card round with 118 yards. He scored three touchdowns and averaged 5.6 yards per carry in Sunday’s 48-32 upset for the No. 7-seeded Packers at the No. 2 Dallas Cowboys.
Jones has rushed for over 100 yards in four straight games, but he hasn’t eclipsed that mark in six career meetings with the 49ers. He did have 129 receiving yards (nine catches) along with 41 rushing yards (12 carries) when the No. 1-seeded Packers lost at home to the 49ers two years ago in divisional-round action. Jones had 83 combined yards at Levi’s Stadium when the 2019 49ers beat the Packers 37-20 for the NFC Championship.
GREENLAW, RYAN NOT PRACTICING
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), safety Logan Ryan (groin) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee) will not practice.
Defensive end Arik Armstead (foot, knee) will be limited; he returned last week after missing the past five games. Safety George Odum (biceps) also will be limited as he is expected to come off Injured Reserve, where he has been since being injured on Thanksgiving in Seattle.
Greenlaw and Ryan are both expected to participate in Wednesday’s practice, Shanahan said.
PETERS ON LEAVING 49ERS
Adam Peters, in his introduction as the Washington Commanders’ general manager, expressed gratitude for his past seven years in the 49ers’ front office, essentially serving as general manager John Lynch’s right-hand man since they arrived with Shanahan in 2017. Peters sees a similar situation in Washington to the one he joined with the 49ers.
“Those were dark days but right away with the 49ers. Maybe the results didn’t show but you could see what we were doing on the field and the fans could feel it,” Peters said. “They knew we were turning. You can’t put timetables on it. You’re going to see great competitors, a physical team, and you can tell right away.”
Peters called it an “opportunity of a lifetime” to become a general manager. He thanked the 49ers’ ownership, Lynch, and Shanahan for running a “first-class organization” and being “incredible in my development.” Peters also tipped his cap to the 49ers Faithful, calling it a “great fan base, just like this one — passionate and loyal.”
Peters initially thanked the Commanders’ new ownership group that’s led by Josh Harris, who sat next to him at the press conference and said of his hire: “Adam’s a winner. He’s won everywhere he’s been, first in Boston then obviously in Denver and San Francisco. He’s learned from a lot of great leaders. He’s about excellence, about attracting the best people and holding them accountable. He’s inclusive. It was a pretty easy decision.”
Peters, 44, was born in Mountain View and attended Monta Vista High-Cupertino. The first mentor he mentioned was former Monta Vista baseball coach Dave Viera, and Peters also thanked his agent, Doug Hendrickson, also a Monta Vista alumnus.