NFL
49ers RB Depth Chart: Will Christian McCaffrey Play In Week 2?
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is currently sidelined with calf and Achilles injuries. Will McCaffrey play in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings?
Will Christian McCaffrey Play In Week 2?
Kyle Shanahan says Christian McCaffrey has Achilles tendinitis.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) September 10, 2024
McCaffrey was a shocking scratch from the lineup before Monday night’s 32-19 victory over the New York Jets.
On Tuesday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that McCaffrey is suffering from Achilles tendinitis (via Grant Cohn).
“Just the same stuff that was bothering him all week,” Kyle Shanahan said on ruling McCaffrey inactive (via SI). “There was a little too much today, game-time decision. He came in, just talking to him about it, it was still there. Thought it was going to be smart to keep him out and glad we did.”
McCaffrey suffered the calf and Achilles injuries on August 6. McCaffrey sat out the entire preseason.
Had this been a playoff game, Shanahan believes McCaffrey would have suited up and played. Since Monday night’s game was Week 1 of 17, the team decided to rest their All-Pro running back.
Shanahan said they will monitor McCaffrey’s injuries all week leading up to the 49ers’ Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings. As of Tuesday, it’s unknown if McCaffrey will play in Week 2.
49ers RB Depth Chart
Jordan Mason after his first career start 🔥
“That boy a dawg” —Trent Williams 😂 pic.twitter.com/S0zBetdiZB
— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2024
No McCaffrey? No problem.
With McCaffrey out in Week 1, the 49ers turned to third-year veteran Jordan Mason, who excelled as the lead back.
Mason carried the ball 28 times for 147 rushing yards and one touchdown.
If McCaffrey can’t play against the Vikings, Mason proved he can be the No. 1 option in the backfield.
There was some controversy after the game. ESPN’s Lisa Salters asked Mason when he found out he would be the starter, to which he said, “Maybe Friday night.”
Shanahan shut Mason’s answer down, saying the decision wasn’t made until Monday, suggesting the 49ers running backs coach Bobby Turner or another coach told Mason he would be starting as a way to “pump him up.”
Jordan Mason was upset during the postgame press conference
After the game he told reporters that he was told he was going to start on Friday.
Kyle Shanahan was asked about this and said that this wasn’t true.
This was Mason after all of that: https://t.co/UA4yAuMzQp pic.twitter.com/zsApKlYOIv
— Kevin Krueger (@kevinkruegs) September 10, 2024