Like cold water hitting your back. That is what it felt like when the San Francisco 49ers ruled Christian McCaffrey inactive in Week 1 at the last minute. It was shocking news considering he was given a questionable status for that game. A questionable status will almost always mean a player will be active. However, that wasn’t the case for McCaffrey who is dealing with a calf/Achilles injury. He has been dealing with it since early Aug. which is why he didn’t play in the preseason.
Now, it turns out it’s Achilles tendinitis. Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed on Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. McCaffrey’s injury has changed multiple times. First, it was a simple calf strain. Then it was a calf/Achilles when the first injury report for Week 1 emerged. And now it is Achilles tendinitis with some calf tightness. This injury is a serious concern and is why the 49ers face a critical decision with McCaffrey entering Week 2.
49ers Face a Critical Decision With Christian McCaffrey
The 49ers face two options that they must decide on with McCaffrey. Either continue to monitor him week-to-week to see how his Achilles feels. Or, they exercise extreme caution by placing him on Injured Reserve. The best option here is to place him on Injured Reserve so that the 49ers can allow him to rest for at least four games. Being without McCaffrey in the short term is better than being without him down the stretch.
McCaffrey is integral to their playoff and Super Bowl run. They can avoid later issues with his Achilles by placing him on Injured Reserve. This is an injury that must be taken seriously no matter how mild it is. It can be the difference of McCaffrey missing a little time or the entire season in the worst-case scenario. The 49ers must decide urgently as it will have ripple effects on their season.
However, a decision to place him on Injured Reserve might not ever arrive. McCaffrey was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, which indicates he has a chance to play in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings. Shanahan also shut down any consideration of the 49ers placing McCaffrey on Injured Reserve. “No, I’ve never considered that,” said Shanahan. “I was considering him to play last week, so definitely not thinking about four weeks off.”
Outlook
McCaffrey could very well be dealing with simple soreness. But is that worth the risk to the 49ers with the Achilles involved? This is why the 49ers face a critical decision and the right choice should be to rest him for the next month. They don’t desperately need McCaffrey to keep their offense powered up. Backup running back Jordan Mason proved in Week 1 that he can keep the offense at a high level. If anything, that should convince the 49ers that they should keep McCaffrey sidelined.
Ride it out with Mason with him absent, then bring him back once his Achilles is healthier. It’s all about the long haul for the 49ers. If they keep trying to test him out during practice and taking it week-to-week, then they risk McCaffrey never finding sound health. Let him relax and get work done while Mason leads the charge in the meantime.
Main Photo: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
