49ers News: 49ers' McCaffrey sheds light on his status for Week 2

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is determined to return for the team's Week 2 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Reflecting on his commitment, McCaffrey stated as quoted by The Oregonian , “My mentality is I’m playing this week,” showing his eagerness to get back on the field despite ongoing injury concerns.

“My mentality is I’m playing this week,” McCaffrey told reporters on Wednesday. “That’s where I’m at. That’s how I am every week. I’m not lying. I think 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 kind of on the fence. So for me, I’m ready to go.”

McCaffrey missed the previous game against the New York Jets, where the 49ers secured a win in his absence. He has been dealing with a calf injury and Achilles tendinitis, issues that have plagued him since last season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan likened the calf problem to an injury McCaffrey faced before last year's playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.

Shanahan noted that McCaffrey could have played if it had been a playoff game, signaling the team's cautious approach in managing his health early in the season to avoid exacerbating his injuries and ensure long-term fitness.

““I believe they’re similar, I know it was a calf then and it’s a calf now ... It’s not just the calf, it’s the Achilles and the Achilles is tendinitis and that stuff comes and goes. When it is acting up, it’s something you’ve got to be very careful about,” Shanahan told reporters Tuesday. “Christian’s very diligent about that stuff. And if it was a playoff game, he made it very clear to me, he believed he could go. But when you hear that type of stuff and it’s not a playoff game and it’s Week 1, and especially when you’re dealing with the lower extremities like that, it was a tough decision. But hearing all the words and stuff, in the long run it made (the decision to sit McCaffrey) easy.”

Although McCaffrey is listed as day-to-day, reports from NFL.com suggest that his availability for the game against the Vikings is uncertain, with the possibility of him playing considered a "long shot." If McCaffrey is unable to take the field, the 49ers will rely on backup Jordan Mason, who impressed in the game against the Jets, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

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Mason’s standout performance has bolstered the 49ers' running back depth, allowing them to remain competitive without their star player. While McCaffrey’s status is still up in the air, his commitment to recovering and practicing is evident, and he continues to push through the challenges.

As the week progresses, the focus remains on McCaffrey's recovery, with the team and fans hopeful for his return. His determination underscores his dedication to the team and his eagerness to face Minnesota head-on.