SEPTEMBER 13: Shanahan said on Friday McCaffrey will not play in Week 2 after he was off the practice field altogether today. He said Thursday’s practice led to pain in the affected calf and Achilles area, so McCaffrey will be out for at least another game.
Concerningly, Shanahan added (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows) San Francisco is, in fact, now considering injured reserve in this situation. Moving last year’s rushing champion to IR would sideline him until at least Week 6, though it would give him a longer period to heal in full. Mason will be in line for RB1 duties on Sunday at a minimum, but that could be the case for much longer.
SEPTEMBER 11: Christian McCaffrey missed the 49ers’ Week 1 win over the Jets thanks to his pesky Achilles/calf issues. Coach Kyle Shanahan has since specified that a bout of Achilles tendinitis has been the main contributor to the running back’s inconsistent status. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like McCaffrey will be sidelined for much longer, as Shanahan told reporters that the star player isn’t a candidate for injured reserve (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).
[RELATED: 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey Inactive For Week 1]
While McCaffrey was listed as limited during today’s practice (per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero), the player is confident that he’ll be on the field for Week 2.
“My mentality is I’m playing this week,” McCaffrey said (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). “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. For me, I’m ready to go.”
The player’s Week 1 absence inspired some controversy when fill-in Jordan Mason revealed that he learned of his RB1 role on Friday…days before the team announced McCaffrey’s inactive status. McCaffrey said there wasn’t any gamesmanship at play with the late call, as the RB said he hoped he could push through the injury until the last possible moment. McCaffrey said his pre-game workout didn’t go as he hoped, leading to the final decision (via Wagoner).
Mason filled in admirably for his All-Pro teammates, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Mason’s performance may ultimately convince the 49ers to sit McCaffrey for another week, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, although the reporter also believes the starter will do everything in his power to play.
Shanahan would probably have his house set on fire by angry fantasy league managers if he placed McCaffrey on IR…lol.
That’s why i NEVER draft CMC
I drafted Mason and one of the other guys in my league asked, “Who the f*ck is Jordan Mason?” He ended up playing the guy who had CMC last week and I texted him and said, ” Who the f*ck is Jordan Mason? You’re welcome buddy, you’re welcome.” After the game he says, “Oh, that Jordan Mason!!”
Hahahahaha
I would find it hard to believe he will miss the Rams game. Even after that, I see him losing touches to Mason so he is ramped up for that Chiefs game.
I think they keep him out until week 6 against the seagulls. Give him a week to ramp up before the sb rematch and then the cowboys.
They’re definitely gonna be careful with him. As good as Mason was/is, they need CMC for the playoffs
Stash him for the playoffs
The Madden curse lives!
Unfortunately correct but the injury was from last year…. may get a pass if he only missed two games
I suspect there are sone shenanigans going on with this.
Im not quite sure what the end game is – but Mason’s comments about when he initially found out he was starting to considering IR for a guy that never appeared on the injury report until just before the game. Shahahan quickly made a statement contradicting Mason – it felt strong to me. Why he felt the need to clarify – seems strange.
Its odd – not sure I understand it all. I wonder why this isn’t discussed more. The NFL doesn’t seem to care though I am probably missing something.
I’ll sidestep any betting/gambling conspiracies and go straight to “deceiving opposing team”
They’re prepping for CMC not Mason so you don’t announce anything until the mandated deadline despite knowing he’s not playing.
Can’t go to that well too often
Maybe – but then why clarify the comments after the game is already played? They are already deceived at that point.
“It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma” / Winston Churchill