When the 49ers visit the Vikings to close Week 7 on “Monday Night Football,” they’ll be missing two of their top offensive starters. San Francisco has ruled out wide receiver Deebo Samuel due to a shoulder injury, and left tackle Trent Williams is inactive with an ankle injury. On the other hand, Christian McCaffrey will be active, returning after a limited practice on Saturday while dealing with an oblique injury.
It’s noteworthy that McCaffrey has not missed a game due to injury since joining San Francisco almost a year ago.
Deebo Samuel, however, is not in good condition. The versatile weapon will also sit out Week 8’s matchup with the Bengals, as confirmed by coach Kyle Shanahan, and with the 49ers’ bye week occurring in Week 9, the earliest he might return to the field is in Week 10 against the Jaguars on October 12. Samuel sustained an injury early in San Francisco’s Week 6 loss to the Browns and didn’t make a comeback; he has since been diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his shoulder.
As for Trent Williams, he’s set to be temporarily replaced at left tackle for just one game. The perennial Pro Bowler has not completed a full season in a decade, consistently missing at least two games in each of his previous three years with the 49ers.
Starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw, initially listed as questionable for Monday’s game due to a hamstring injury, has been cleared to play.
