49ers’ Christian McCaffrey to play vs. Vikings, but there’s a catch

McCaffrey injured his oblique against the Browns last Sunday, and the Niners did everything in their power to make sure the 27-year-old was taken care of, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. But Schefter’s recent report contained one nugget that was pretty concerning, if not outright bad news, heading into this Week 7 matchup.

“McCaffrey had a team of people working on his injury all week long, virtually around the clock, sources told Schefter,” the ESPN report read. “However, he also didn’t take a hit in practice all week, so while he will play, nobody knows how he will feel or react when he is tackled.”

It’s hard enough for any player to enter an NFL game without taking a single hit throughout a week of practice, but McCaffrey in particular thrives off a physical, bruising rushing style. If McCaffrey plays cautiously in an attempt to avoid aggravating his injury, he simply won’t be himself.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan did sound optimistic speaking to reporters about McCaffrey throughout the week. On Thursday, he confirmed that McCaffrey’s MRI was “promising,” and on Saturday after practice, he said, “The fact he was able to go out there today and feel good just gives him a chance.”

“We’ve just got to make sure he can go into that game on Monday and feel real good,” Shanahan added.

Even with a major physicality caveat, the 49ers appear to have signed off on McCaffrey’s health entering Monday’s game.

The running back was one of three star players who suffered injuries in Cleveland last Sunday. Deebo Samuel was ruled out for the next two games with a shoulder injury, and Trent Williams is listed as doubtful because of a sprained right ankle.