In the case of Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers running back, his readiness for the game is quite unambiguous. McCaffrey has been made a confirmed absentee for the impending clash with the Minnesota Vikings by 49ers’ head coach, Kyle Shanahan. Post participating only sparingly in Thursday’s practice, the player didn’t seem quite up to the mark, leading Shanahan to his decision. Discussions around declaring McCaffrey as injured reserve — a decision which would lead to at least a four-game hiatus — are now actively taking place.
“Debating McCaffrey’s placement on the injured reserve is something we’ve been giving thought to,” commented Shanahan, indicating a growing concern in the team. Indeed, the star running back was having days of fluctuating physical comfort with the most recent appearance worse than the rest. Naturally, these developments have triggered the need for closer discussions on the next steps.
McCaffrey’s journey on the field has been plagued by a persistent calf injury and Achilles tendinitis. These maladies have weighed heavy on his gameplay, leading to him unexpectedly missing the Monday night opening game against the New York Jets. McCaffrey’s practice sessions during the week offered no sign of recovery, similar to those of the previous week, making his potential absence for the upcoming game highly likely. His absence in the initial open-to-reporters share of Friday’s practice was the nail in the coffin.
The impact of these decisions will extend to an important boundary. If his status is escalated to being on injured reserve before Sunday, McCaffrey will be counting days till the Oct. 10 game scheduled against the Seattle Seahawks — this particular match falls under the highly anticipated ‘Thursday Night Football’. However, Shanahan assures us that there are currently no plans for any surgical intervention for McCaffrey’s injury.
To the disbelief of many, McCaffrey’s inactive status for the opening game came as an unexpected turn of events. Nevertheless, the absence was not misinterpreted, as a spokesperson from the league communicated to ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the NFL had inspected the scenario and found nothing amiss regarding the adherence to the league’s Injury Report Policy.
Shanahan and team maintain a hopeful outlook that an extended period of rest could allow McCaffrey to leave behind the nagging issues of tendinitis. Assessing the Achilles ailment has become challenging since its symptoms appear sporadically, rendering them hardness to predict. This unpredictability has driven Shanahan to take things by the day, and follow a daily evaluative approach.
Earlier in the week, queries were raised about McCaffrey possibly being an aspirant for the injured reserve, in response to which Shanahan stated that this hadn’t been seriously considered yet. However, another setback on Friday led both him and general manager John Lynch to reconsider the narrative. “If it’s best for everyone involved, we’re not opposed to taking that route,” expressed Lynch on KNBR Radio.
As Christian takes the bench this week, it is the second consecutive time that Jordan Mason, the running back now entering his third year, will take his place. Following his lightning debut on Monday night, Mason is undoubtedly up to the task. In his introductory faceoff, Mason spearheaded 28 rushing attempts over 147 yards, scoring a touchdown, and also completing a 5-yard catch.
In the 49ers’ game history, this was the most number of rushing attempts in a regular-season game since Shanahan’s tenure. It was also a record number for a 49ers opening match. Such an extraordinary performance has undoubtedly increased San Francisco’s faith in Mason. As they prepare to face-off against Minnesota — a team against which they have lost seven straight games —, this confidence might be the key they need.
The 49ers’ running game coordinator, Chris Foerster, has nothing but praise for the up-and-coming star. “He just keeps improving day by day,” Foerster marveled. “Initially, there were trust hurdles to cross, but now, under Bobby Turner, the running backs coach, Mason has fully embraced the team’s offensive strategy and is achieving new heights. He has evolved into a tough, hard-hitting player.”
McCaffrey’s absence leaves Mason as the primary backup for the 49ers, with receiver Deebo Samuel, rookie Isaac Guerendo, and fourth-year veteran Patrick Taylor Jr. filling in the gap. However, in the previous game against the Jets, only Samuel shared the load with Mason, rushing eight times for 23 yards and scoring a touchdown. Guerendo and Taylor remained matchless.
Reacting to this situation, Shanahan observed, “It’s unusual to have to resort to your third option so soon.” He emphasized his trust in both Elijah Mitchell aka ‘Elijah’ and ‘JP’, neither of whom he views as secondary options. “They’re as capable as any primary player, as they’ve exhibited in the past. I’m fully confident the newbies will step up when their turn comes.”
In addition to the discussion around McCaffrey and Mason, other 49ers player injuries have also been making headlines. Safety Talanoa Hufanga remains a doubtful participant in Sunday’s game due to a right knee injury. Meanwhile, linebacker Dee Winters, suffering from an ankle condition, has been listed as questionable.
The 49ers are approaching this next match with a mix of apprehension and determination, adjusting strategies around player injuries and potential replacements. With the commitment and ability shown by players like Mason, the team is set to face Minnesota with tenacity and adaptability. Only the match’s outcome will show how these conditions and strategies play out.