The 49ers may opt not to rush Christian McCaffrey back into the fray in Week 2 as he deals with calf and Achilles injuries.
Update: Christian McCaffrey is to be placed on injured reserve, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, which means the tailback will miss at least the next four games. Further reports suggest he could miss as many as six weeks.
All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey was a surprise scratch in the San Francisco 49ers' regular-season opener against the New York Jets.
After telling reporters he'd be ready to go, McCaffrey was suddenly listed on the Niners' Week 1 inactive report, shocking plenty of fans and putting doubt in whether or not head coach Kyle Shanahan's run game would be effective.
Thankfully, backup running back Jordan Mason answered that call with 147 yards and a touchdown in San Francisco's commanding Monday night victory.
McCaffrey's status on a short week leading into the 49ers' road contest against the Minnesota Vikings was very much up in the air, and multiple reports hinted at him not being ready to go while dealing with both calf and Achilles injuries. Additionally, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year wasn't observed on the field during the open portion of Friday's practices before the team departs for Minnesota, casting even further shadows on his availability for Sunday.
49ers officially rule Christian McCaffrey OUT vs. Vikings
Speaking to reporters on Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media McCaffrey would be ruled out for the contest with his injuries.
#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is OUT Sunday at Minnesota, Kyle Shanahan said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 13, 2024
Making things even more concerning, Shanahan added the team was considering placing McCaffrey on injured reserve, which would mean the rusher would miss at least four weeks.
That's potentially an option with a bonus, namely not rushing the MVP candidate back into the fray prematurely and resting him for what promises to be yet another deep playoff run.
Plus, if Mason keeps up his prowess, San Francisco's ground game should be just as potent as it was in Week 1.
The 49ers and Vikings kick off on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. ET from US Bank Stadium.