The San Francisco 49ers kept Christian McCaffrey out of the preseason due to a calf injury in what seemed to be a precautionary move. But it turns out that McCaffrey’s calf injury is very much a real issue.
When the 49ers announced their list of inactive players for their Monday night opener against the New York Jets, McCaffrey was included.
Tonight’s #NYJvsSF @DignityHealth inactives.
📰: https://t.co/3BXyXsB7Er. pic.twitter.com/KMpSqlyWKA
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 9, 2024
McCaffrey had been limited in practice and was listed as questionable for the game. But now he is a surprise scratch a little over an hour before game time.
A surprise: #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is inactive tonight against the #Jets, sources tell me and @RapSheet. McCaffrey was listed as questionable after being limited in practice last week with calf/Achilles injuries. McCaffrey had expressed confidence he would play. pic.twitter.com/rLQMXVU3nR
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 9, 2024
Jordan Mason is likely in line to see a big role in the game with McCaffrey out.
McCaffrey rushed for a league-leading 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, which was his first full year with San Francisco. He also had 67 catches for 564 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns.
The Niners still have plenty of options on offense, but they’ll be down some key players without McCaffrey and rookie Ricky Pearsall.
