Christian McCaffrey, the dynamic running back for the San Francisco 49ers, appears to be a long shot to participate in the upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Reports from NFL Media indicate that McCaffrey’s Achilles injury is likely to keep him sidelined for a second consecutive week.
Since the early days of training camp in August, McCaffrey has been grappling with a calf injury that led the 49ers to hold him out for the remainder of camp and the preseason. Despite expectations for him to return in Week 1 against the New York Jets, he was unexpectedly scratched from the lineup just 90 minutes before kickoff.
The 49ers initially listed McCaffrey as questionable due to his Achilles and calf issues, making the late scratch surprising. Head coach Kyle Shanahan clarified that McCaffrey’s Achilles problem was tendinitis, downplaying any long-term worries on Tuesday.
“The Achilles is tendinitis, and that stuff comes and goes,” Shanahan explained. “When it acts up, it’s crucial to be cautious. Christian is very diligent about his health. If it were a playoff game, he expressed that he felt he could play. But given that it was Week 1, we had to make a tough decision.”
Shanahan updated reporters, stating that McCaffrey is currently “day-to-day” with his injury.
Should McCaffrey be unable to play against the Vikings, the 49ers are confident in their running game. Third-year running back Jordan Mason showcased his skills with a standout performance against the Jets, amassing 147 rushing yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and scoring a touchdown.
While Mason’s emergence was a bright spot, his comments post-game stirred some controversy. He revealed to ESPN that he was informed he would start the Week 1 matchup on Friday, the same day McCaffrey indicated he expected to play. Misleading injury reports can lead to penalties for teams.
As of Wednesday, there are no indications that the NFL has initiated an investigation into the 49ers regarding McCaffrey’s injury designation for Week 1, according to The Athletic.
The 49ers will return to practice for the first time since their Week 1 victory. McCaffrey’s participation level in practice could provide insight into his potential availability for the game against Minnesota.
Last season, McCaffrey racked up an impressive 2,023 yards of total offense. In his previous outing against the Vikings, he had a relatively quiet game, rushing for 45 yards and adding 51 receiving yards, but still managed to score twice in a loss.
