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San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is listed as questionable for Monday night’s season opener against the New York Jets with a calf/Achilles injury, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
McCaffrey returned to practice on Tuesday after being hampered by a calf strain that caused him to miss most of training camp and the entire preseason.
He said on Friday that he would play against the Jets, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
McCaffrey added that he felt “much better” than he had in August, and that his Achilles injury was “not a concern,” per Branch.
The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, McCaffrey is the engine that makes the 49ers offense go. He led the league with 1,459 rushing yards, 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 total touchdowns during the 2023 campaign and helped San Francisco earn a spot in Super Bowl LVIII where it lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Following his impeccable season, the 49ers rewarded McCaffrey with a two-year contract extension worth $38 million that allowed him to maintain his status as the NFL’s highest-paid running back.
San Francisco’s depth at the running back position took a hit this offseason when Elijah Mitchell was placed on injured reserve due to hamstring surgery, ruling him out for the entire year. The 49ers will rely on third-year pro Jordan Mason and 2024 fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo to back up McCaffrey.
San Francisco is expected to be one of the favorites to earn a spot in the Super Bowl once again, so it will need McCaffrey to stay healthy if it wants to achieve its ultimate goal of winning the title.
