49ers' Christian McCaffrey sends familiar message that should definitely be taken with a pinch of salt

Christian McCaffrey was a shock scratch on Monday for the San Francisco 49ers' season-opening win over the New York Jets, his absence made more surprising by comments he had made in the lead up to the game.

McCaffrey insisted there was no doubt in his mind he would play against the Jets, only to then be listed among the inactives after testing out his calf/Achilles injury earlier in the day.

The reigning Offensive Player of the Year is said to be dealing with Achilles tendinitis. That is the more serious issue than his calf problem, which kept the running back out of preseason.

Talking with reporters on Wednesday, McCaffrey sounded the same defiant tone he did last week.

"My mentality is I'm playing this week. That's where I'm at," said McCaffrey.

"That's how I am every week. I'm not lying. As soon as a player says maybe I'll play, maybe I won't, that's not a good mentality to go into a week with when you're on the fence. I'm ready to go."

The 49ers' next two games, with a trip to face the Los Angeles Rams following their meeting with the Vikings, take place on the road on fields that use turf rather than natural grass.

Much has been made over recent years about the supposed increased injury risk on turf, but that won't impact whether McCaffrey plays.

"No. If you can't run on turf, you can't run on grass," McCaffrey said when asked if turf would be an issue.

"If you can go, you can go."

San Francisco, despite a 147-yard performance from Jordan Mason , will obviously be keen to get McCaffrey back.

But his words should be taken with a pinch of salt, even though McCaffrey was listed as limited for practice in a seemingly positive update.

McCaffrey was limited all last week and still missed the season opener despite his insistence he would not. With Wednesday's session a half-speed practice, it is difficult to put too much stock in his McCaffrey's presence.

Resting for Monday Night Football will obviously have helped McCaffrey's injury, but with Mason and the offensive line enjoying such success without him, it's easy to see the 49ers again taking the safe approach with the reigning rushing champion.

McCaffrey might be preparing to play, but the odds of him doing so can still be considered up in the air.

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