49ers' Christian McCaffrey preparing to play Week 2: 'I’m ready to go'

Reports of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey's demise may have been greatly exaggerated.

The 2023 league-leading rusher said on Wednesday he is "ready to go" in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings. Earlier reporting by ESPN's Adam Schefter on "Monday Night Football" said there was a "real, strong possibility" that McCaffrey would miss Week 2 with the same calf injury that kept him out of Monday's contest.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday (h/t David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com ), the 28-year-old described how he was approaching Sunday despite the lingering ailment.

"My mindset is I'm gonna play no matter what I'm going through physically on Wednesday or Thursday in practice," McCaffrey said. "And on the game day, you've gotta make a decision. ... My mentality is I'm playing this week. That's where I'm at."

But San Francisco fans and McCaffrey fantasy owners should take his words with a grain of salt. He said something along the same lines last week before ultimately pulling the plug on his participation in the season opener.

McCaffrey had a limited practice Wednesday according to the team's injury report . He said the calf injury that kept him out Monday is not related to the one he sustained in Week 17 last year.

Backup Jordan Mason, who may or may not have been told he was starting as early as Friday , handled starting duties on Monday without difficulty.

The third-year veteran put up 147 yards and a touchdown in the 32-19 primetime blowout over the New York Jets.

San Francisco now has a 42-46 record without McCaffrey all-time, according to StatMuse .