The San Francisco 49ers have placed star running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve due to calf soreness and Achilles tendinitis, the team announced on Saturday. McCaffrey will be sidelined for at least the next four games, including Sunday’s match against the Minnesota Vikings, and he may be eligible to return for an Oct. 10 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned that the team was seriously considering placing McCaffrey on injured reserve after the running back’s condition did not improve with limited participation in practice. Shanahan noted that McCaffrey experienced increased pain, calling Friday his toughest day.
“Injuries are unpredictable,” Shanahan said, explaining the challenge of McCaffrey’s situation. The decision to place him on IR was made to allow for recovery from ongoing flare-ups in his Achilles.
McCaffrey expressed his disappointment over the situation, emphasizing his desire to play despite the injuries. “I hate not playing. But I look at it as a chess move and something that hopefully you can benefit from the rest of the season,” he noted earlier this week.
This is McCaffrey’s first stint on injured reserve since joining the 49ers in October 2022. Throughout his past two seasons, he only missed one game, aside from a week 18 matchup where both teams rested their starters.
In McCaffrey’s absence, Jordan Mason is expected to take on the primary running back role. He had a strong performance in his first career start last week against the New York Jets, recording 28 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown. The Niners also used wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. as a backup running back during that game. Other potential options include rookie Isaac Guerendo and fourth-year veteran Patrick Taylor Jr. on the active roster, along with fifth-year veteran Ke’Shawn Vaughn from the practice squad.
The team has not yet filled McCaffrey’s roster spot on the 53-man roster.