The NFL’s first “Monday Night Football” game of the 2024 season will feature two star-studded teams looking to advance to the Super Bowl: the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets.
But the matchup lost some of its appeal when 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey announced before kickoff that he would not play with a calf injury that has plagued him all summer.
McCaffrey may also be out for next week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, Awful Announcing reports, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Adam Schefter provides more details on Christian McCaffrey after “various conversations with 49ers officials.”
He added, “It seems very likely that McCaffrey will also be out for Sunday’s game against the Vikings.” #NFL https://t.co/XG632FaAJa pic.twitter.com/kG34jnMHdr
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 9, 2024
It’s a big loss for San Francisco, which runs the football more than any other team in the league.
McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing yards, total yards, total touchdowns and total offensive touchdowns last year, earning him Pro Bowl and All-Pro first team selections as well as Offensive Player of the Year honors.
In fact, he finished third in MVP voting, which is quite an accomplishment considering the value of running backs has declined significantly in recent years.
Fortunately, the Niners have other viable options on offense.
Debo Samuel and Brandon Ayuk are one of the best wide receiver duos in football, and George Kittle is probably the best tight end in the game.
Jordan Mason, a junior, started at RB and got off to a good start in the first quarter, rushing for 24 yards on six rushing attempts.
Calf injuries are injuries that need to be treated with extreme caution, especially after NBA superstar Kevin Durant returned from a calf injury in 2019 and tore his Achilles tendon too soon.
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