San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned that All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey could have played in the 49ers’ season opener if it had been a playoff game. However, the team decided to keep him out to prevent his Achilles tendinitis from worsening.
The choice to rest McCaffrey during Monday night’s 32-19 win against the New York Jets surprised many and disappointed fantasy football players who had drafted him early.
McCaffrey was listed as questionable on the injury report but had indicated on Friday that he expected to play. The situation became more confusing when Jordan Mason, who filled in for McCaffrey, mentioned in a postgame interview that he was informed on Friday that he would start.
Shanahan clarified that the decision to hold McCaffrey out was made on Monday. He had only told Mason to be ready for a larger role due to McCaffrey’s injury.
The NFL often reviews injury reporting for possible violations and can impose fines if a team is found to have misrepresented a player’s status.
A league spokesman declined to provide details about McCaffrey’s case on Tuesday.
Shanahan stated on Tuesday that McCaffrey is still considered day-to-day, but the decision to sit him for the opener was straightforward. McCaffrey had injured his Achilles early in training camp and missed four weeks of practice before returning last week.
“The Achilles is tendinitis and that stuff comes and goes,” Shanahan said. “When it flares up, you have to be very cautious. Christian is very careful with it. He made it clear he thought he could play if it were a playoff game.”
