Shanahan says he still needs to be careful about McCaffrey’s injury wilson88

wilson88 San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan reveals why the Golden State Warriors decided not to use Christian McCaffrey in the 2024 season opener. wilson88

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team remains “very cautious” about Christian McCaffrey’s calf and hamstring injuries, which he missed Week 1 against the New York Jets, NFL Network reported. ( wilson88 )

McCaffrey was ruled out of Monday’s 32-19 win over the Jets with a calf injury and an Achilles tendonitis, leaving room for 25-year-old running back Jordan Mason, who rushed 28 times for 147 yards and one touchdown. Shanahan said the team is still cautious about CMC’s injury. 

“I certainly believe he would have played in a playoff game,” Shanahan said. “But it’s not just the calf area. It’s also the Achilles tendonitis. It’s a recurring condition. When it gets worse, you have to be very careful about it.”

‘Christian is very mindful of it, and if it’s a playoff game, he’s made it clear to me that he believes he can play. But when you hear things like that and it’s not a playoff game, and it’s a week one game, and especially when you’re dealing with a lower leg like that, it’s a tough decision to make. But hearing the words and stuff like that, in the long run, it makes it easier.

As long as the 49ers continue to win and Mason can continue to drive the ground game like he did in the first game, Shanahan is unlikely to rush McCaffrey back if he is not 100 percent fit.