The San Francisco 49ers are placing All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve because of calf tightness and Achilles tendinitis, according to multiple reports on Saturday.
McCaffrey had already missed the season opener and was scratched from Sunday’s game against the host Minnesota Vikings. With the move to the IR, he is now required to miss at least the next four games.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan had said Friday that the move was a possibility after McCaffrey practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday’s workout.
“(Injured reserve) is something we are considering now,” Shanahan told reporters Friday. “Yesterday (Thursday) was his worst day. It’s on and off but with him having the worst pain yesterday, it’s something we are going to be discussing in the next 24 hours.”
McCaffrey, 28, will be eligible to return Oct. 10 against the host Seattle Seahawks. He will be out for road games against the Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, and at home against the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro, McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards last season. The reigning Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year has four 1,000-yard rushing seasons and two 100-catch campaigns in 91 games (84 starts) for the Carolina Panthers (2017-22) and 49ers.
This is his first stint on IR since he was traded from the Panthers to the 49ers in October 2022.
Former undrafted free agent Jordan Mason will again be the main ball carrier against Minnesota. He had a career game with 147 yards on 28 carries in a 32-19 win over the visiting New York Jets on Monday.
–Field Level Media
