San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is currently listed as questionable for the highly anticipated season opener against the New York Jets due to a sore calf and Achilles. His status has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike as the game approaches.
McCaffrey sustained his injury early in training camp, which sidelined him for four weeks of practice. Although he returned to the field this week, he was limited throughout the week, leading to uncertainty about his availability for Monday night’s matchup. Despite expressing confidence on Friday about playing, his official designation remains questionable.
In addition to McCaffrey’s situation, the 49ers will have All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk available for the opener. Both players missed all of training camp due to contract disputes, making their return crucial for the team’s offensive strategy.
Since joining the 49ers via trade from the Carolina Panthers midway through the 2022 season, McCaffrey has been instrumental in reshaping San Francisco’s offensive dynamics. In just 27 games with the team, he has accumulated an impressive 2,205 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, alongside 119 receptions for 1,028 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Last season, McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and was tied for the league lead with 21 touchdowns, earning the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding performance.
Quarterback Brock Purdy remains optimistic about rekindling chemistry with McCaffrey, Williams, and Aiyuk, despite their limited practice time this summer. He noted that their shared game experiences and film study would help them quickly regain a strong connection on the field.
“I feel like we’ve all had so many game reps and just experience together that we understand, just from watching our film, and then obviously, being back together with the time that we’ve had so far,” Purdy stated. “We all understand how we move, how we operate and how we need to play within this system and with each other.”
NOTES: Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) will not participate in the opener. Safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) is doubtful as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury sustained last November. Guard Aaron Banks (finger) is also questionable. Additionally, San Francisco will need to make at least one roster move on Monday to activate Williams to the 53-man roster.
