Is Christian McCaffrey playing today? Full injury update for 49ers running back

Christian McCaffrey has been dealing with a calf injury, and he was listed as questionable for the 49ers on Monday night against the Jets. Despite positive developments, McCaffrey was ruled OUT with a calf/Achilles injury an hour and a half before kickoff.

The San Francisco 49ers open up their 2024 regular-season campaign against one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL, that of the New York Jets when both teams square off for a primetime Monday Night Football showdown at Levi's Stadium.

One of the best ways the Niners can counter head coach Robert Saleh's defense would be to have All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey on the field.

The reigning Offensive Player of the Year has been dealing with a calf injury for much of the late summer, one that prevented him from partaking in San Francisco's preseason campaign, although he likely wouldn't have seen much playing time during those three games anyway.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that sidelining McCaffrey for August was more precautionary than anything else, although the star rusher did show up on the 49ers' Week 1 injury report.

Officially, he's listed as questionable with calf and Achilles injuries.

Will Christian McCaffrey play vs. Jets on Monday Night Football?

It's important to note the league has done away with the long-neglected "probable" designation for injured players, meaning only "questionable," "doubtful," and "out" are the designations fans will see.

As far as whether or not McCaffrey will suit up, it might be best to ask the rusher himself.

"No, not a concern for me," McCaffrey responded to inquiries about whether or not the injury would hold him back from Monday night's game.

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Judging by this, barring a last-minute flareup, McCaffrey will be gracing the field for the Niners offense as they square off against Gang Green's tough defense.

Whether or not McCaffrey's touches are limited is another question, though, and it wouldn't be surprising if the All-Pro was put on a "pitch count," of sorts, to keep him from overuse.

San Francisco and New York kick off on Monday, Sept. 9 at 5:20 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium.

Update at 6:50 p.m. ET: McCaffrey will indeed miss Monday night's game, as he has been included on the 49ers' list of inactive players.

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