According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers have decided to place All-Pro Christian McCaffrey on the Injured Reserve due to his calf tightness and Achillies tendinitis. McCaffrey is expected to sit out for the next four games before the team reevaluates his condition for a possible return in mid-October.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Friday that McCaffrey will not require surgery, and a decision on his placement on the IR will be made within the next 24 hours. Shanahan mentioned that Thursday was particularly tough for McCaffrey, describing it as his “worst day” with fluctuating levels of pain.
With McCaffrey out for a month, the question arises on how the running back workload will be distributed. Shanahan emphasized that the distribution of carries will vary week by week depending on various factors. While Deebo Samuel Sr. may see an increase in carries, it is not guaranteed to be a consistent occurrence.
Shanahan expressed confidence in the other running backs on the roster besides McCaffrey, including Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo, and Patrick Taylor Jr.:
“I feel good about our depth at the position. Taylor had a strong showing in OTAs and training camp, despite a minor injury setback. Guerendo showed promise in the limited playing time he had, both in games and in practice. While it’s challenging to rely on our third option so soon, I believe both Mason and Guerendo are ready to step up when their opportunity arises.”
Mason demonstrated his ability to perform as a top running back in a previous game. Now, he has the chance to showcase his skills for an extended period of at least a month.