Christian McCaffrey already out for preseason with calf injury in 49ers concern

Christian McCaffrey will not be taking part in the preseason due to a calf strain, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan revealed on Tuesday.

The issue is expected to prevent him from playing in the entirety of the exhibition calendar, which begins this weekend when the Niners face the Titans in Nashville.

The injury is expected to keep McCaffrey out of practice for a “couple weeks,” Shanahan told reporters Tuesday .

“Christian has a calf strain,” Shanahan said. “Did it a couple of days ago. It’s alright. He didn’t pull it or anything, but you guys probably won’t see him this preseason.”

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The issue doesn’t appear to be anything that is too concerning, and the timeline should give McCaffrey, 28, more than enough time to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 9 against the Jets on “Monday Night Football.”

McCaffrey ran for a league-leading 1,459 yards with 14 touchdowns in his first full season with the 49ers last year.

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The running back previously talked about why training camp is so crucial for him during the first few days of practice.

“For me, it’s put my body, mind and soul in the best position to play every snap,” McCaffrey said, according to ESPN . “And then coaches got to be coaches, whatever they think is best, but I know for me, I prepare to play every snap so I’m ready to go.”

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The 49ers have a few things on their plate already, including the ongoing contract dispute with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has had rumors swirling about him in the past few days.

Aiyuk is seeking a new contract and is in the middle of a “hold-in.”

McCaffrey was asked about it on NFL Network’s “Inside Training Camp Live” and only fueled the flames even further when he initially described Aiyuk as a “former teammate.”

“That’s not part of my job, it’s not part of my position,” McCaffrey said. “I think, obviously as a former teammate, or, teammate of his, in general, any teammate you have, you love, you respect them, you want the best for them.”

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