The San Francisco 49ers are 1-0 after their season-opening win over the New York Jets, but they will head into Week 2 with one significant loss.
Running back Christian McCaffrey, last season’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year has been placed on injured reserve with calf and Achilles injuries. McCaffrey will miss at least the next four games, meaning he won’t be eligible to return until the 49ers travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks on October 10.
He was a last-minute scratch in Week 1 after being listed as questionable. McCaffrey aggravated his injury at practice on Thursday, leading to Saturday’s decision.
He will now sit out Sunday’s game on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, Week 3 at the Los Angeles Rams, and home games in Week 4 versus the New England Patriots and Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Last season, McCaffrey posted a career-best 1,459 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns in 16 games. He also caught 67 passes for 564 yards and seven TDs.
Though he appeared in 33 of 34 games over the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers and 49ers, McCaffrey is no stranger to the injured list. He appeared in only 10 games during the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to multiple injuries, including a high ankle sprain and a strained hamstring.
The 49ers will lean on Jordan Mason in the meantime. Mason, an undrafted free agent in 2020 rushed for 147 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries against the Jets.
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