All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey will miss this weekend’s game for the San Francisco 49ers due to ongoing calf and Achilles’ injuries and might be placed on injured reserve.
McCaffrey did not practice on Friday after feeling pain during Thursday’s practice. He has been ruled out of the game on Sunday against Minnesota, despite hoping earlier in the week that he could play.
Coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned that the team is now considering putting McCaffrey on injured reserve for at least four weeks, a decision that wasn’t previously under consideration.
“It’s something we’re considering now,” Shanahan said Friday. “Yesterday was his worst day. It’s on and off, but with yesterday having the most pain, it’s something we’re going to be discussing here the next 24 hours.”
McCaffrey was injured early in training camp and missed four weeks of practice before coming back last week. He was also a late scratch for the season opener against the Jets and is now sidelined again.
Last season, McCaffrey led the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and tied for the league lead with 21 touchdowns, earning the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.
“It’s one of those deals that can be feeling good one day and then the next day it flares,” general manager John Lynch said in his weekly interview with flagship radio station KNBR.
‘“So it’s been frustrating for Christian, I know, and frustrating for us only because he’s such a great player. But primary in our mind is the long view. Christian is such an elite player. He changes us, he makes us different. It’s also nice to see we can function without him.”
In McCaffrey’s absence, backup Jordan Mason stepped up with a strong performance, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries in San Francisco’s 32-19 win over the New York Jets.
