Christian McCaffrey will miss the entirety of preseason and the remainder of training camp after suffering a calf injury - but the San Francisco 49ers hope the star running back will return for Week 1.
After missing the team portion of drills on Sunday because of a strained calf, McCaffrey did not participate in practice on Tuesday. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 28-year-old is likely to miss a couple of weeks of practice.
Shanahan also revealed McCaffrey is also expected to miss the team's three preseason games games. But this appears to largely be precautionary, with a two-week timeline giving McCaffrey plenty of time to return to practice before suiting up against the New York Jets on September 9 to open the 2024 NFL season.
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“He did it a couple days ago,” Shanahan said of the injury. “It's all right. He didn't pull it or anything, but you guys probably won't see him this preseason.”
Last season, McCaffrey had 272 carries for 1,459 yards and scored 21 touchdowns in 16 games. He was selected to play in his third Pro Bowl and won his first Offensive Player of the Year award. He stayed healthy through a career-high 417 touches (including playoffs) in 2023, so the 49ers have been giving McCaffrey regular days off throughout the offseason.
It’s another offensive headache for the NFC West franchise. Brandon Aiyuk, in search of a blockbuster new contract, is likely to leave via trade while rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall aggravated a shoulder injury in practice, and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams remains a holdout.
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Given how explosive, dynamic, and essential to Shanahan’s offense McCaffrey is, this is a blow. Perhaps it is the rise of the Madden curse, given McCaffrey is set to feature on the cover of the latest installment in the EA Sports franchise.
It’s also frustrating because McCaffrey truly values training camp. Given his status as a workhorse, the running back believes training camp and preseason practice helps him get up to speed and prepares his body for the heavy load ahead.
“For me, it's put my body, mind, and soul in the best position to play every snap,” McCaffrey said. “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.”
McCaffrey is also not the only 49ers running back sidelined with injury. Elijah Mitchell has been absent from the past two practices due to a strained hamstring. The 49ers face the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on Saturday, August 10.
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