When the San Francisco 49ers face the Minnesota Vikings in the closing game of Week 7 on “Monday Night Football,” they are expected to be without two of their top offensive starters. The 49ers ruled out wide receiver Deebo Samuel due to a shoulder injury, while running back Christian McCaffrey (oblique) is listed as questionable, and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is doubtful.
Coach Kyle Shanahan also revealed that Samuel will miss Week 8’s matchup against the Bengals, meaning his earliest return would be in Week 10 against the Jaguars on October 12, as the 49ers have a bye week in Week 9. Samuel sustained a shoulder injury early in San Francisco’s Week 6 loss to the Browns and did not return. He has since been diagnosed with a hairline fracture of his shoulder.
McCaffrey did not participate in practice on Thursday or Friday after leaving the Week 6 game twice, during which he had 14 touches. He did return to practice in a limited capacity on Saturday. If McCaffrey is unable to play against the Vikings, the 49ers may distribute the workload for the RB1 position between backup Elijah Mitchell, who missed two games due to injury, and second-year reserve Jordan Mason.
Trent Williams, the left tackle, will be temporarily replaced for a single game. The perennial Pro Bowler has not completed a full season in a decade, having missed at least two games in each of his past three years with the 49ers. Starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw is also listed as questionable for Monday’s game due to a hamstring injury.
