49ers inactives list for Week 2 game vs. Vikings: Bad news for All-Pro rusher

The 49ers will be without Christian McCaffrey for a while, but a reserve pass-rusher is poised to make his debut versus the Vikings.

One week of NFL action proved the San Francisco 49ers can survive without their All-Pro running back, Christian McCaffrey.

Thanks to McCaffrey's backup, Jordan Mason, the Niners ran rampant over the New York Jets in Week 1.

However, it'll be another challenge in Week 2 with San Francisco visiting the 1-0 Minnesota Vikings whose defense under coordinator Brian Flores offers a distinctly different obstacle to Mason and the rest of the 49ers offense.

McCaffrey is heading to injured reserve, and the latest report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has the reigning Offensive Player of the Year poised to miss at least six weeks while recovering from calf and Achilles injuries.

That means McCaffrey won't be on the Niners' inactive list for Week 2, rather off the regular 53-man roster entirely following a procedural move that opens up his spot.

Another All-Pro, safety Talanoa Hufanga, finished the week as doubtful for the game, as he recovers from last season's ACL tear. But no IR designation has been assigned to him, indicating Hufanga is getting close to a return.

Meanwhile, San Francisco welcomes back one of its offseason free-agent pickups, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, who was dealing with a knee issue suffered during the preseason and also missed Week 1.

Cleared to play, the backup pass-rusher is poised to make an impact in Minnesota.

49ers inactives for Week 2 vs. Vikings

• QB Josh Dobbs
• CB Darrell Luter Jr.
• S Talanoa Hufanga
• LB Dee Winters
• OL Ben Bartch

Winters, who also missed Week 1 because of injury, is nearing a point of return but will remain inactive for this game.

The Niners and Vikings kick off on Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. ET from US Bank Stadium.

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