Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers’ star running back, will be sidelined until the playoffs due to a mild calf strain, confirmed head coach Kyle Shanahan. McCaffrey will miss the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, but the 49ers’ recent victory secured them the No. 1 seed in the NFC, granting them a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the NFC postseason.
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said the news was good on RB Christian McCaffrey’s calf strain. He said it “could be a lot worse.” All parties confident McCaffrey will be good to go for postseason.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 1, 2024
Shanahan emphasized that the injury could have been more severe, providing some relief for 49ers fans. McCaffrey exited the game against the Washington Commanders in the third quarter and did not return, with 64 yards on 16 carries and four receptions for 27 yards to his name. Although he didn’t score in that game, he has had a stellar season, amassing a career-high 1,459 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns in his seventh year in the league.
Despite McCaffrey’s absence, the 49ers managed to secure a 27-10 victory over the Commanders. Elijah Mitchell contributed a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, extending the lead by 10 points. Later in the game, Brandon Aiyuk caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy, sealing a comfortable 17-point win for San Francisco. This victory elevated the 49ers to a 12-4 record for the season.
With the 49ers having already secured their playoff position, resting McCaffrey in the upcoming game against the Rams makes logical sense. Assuming his recovery progresses smoothly over the next three weeks, McCaffrey is expected to return to the field for the 49ers in their first playoff game.