49ers star Christian McCaffrey to miss entire preseason with calf strain

Aug 7, 2024, 8:08 AM

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 17: Christian McCaffrey #23 runs for a touchdown after hauling in a 41-yard pass from Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

This week has been the epitome of bad news for the 49ers, with Christian McCaffrey and his latest injury throwing salt into the wound.

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan stated Tuesday that McCaffrey suffered a calf strain recently, and will be out for a few weeks. Consequently, that means the entire preseason for SF’s star running back. While the injury is not seen as a long-term issue, McCaffrey’s absence isn’t great in light of all the drama surrounding the organization.

“Christian has a calf strain, did it a couple days ago. It’s alright. He didn’t pull it or anything, but you guys probably won’t see him this pre-season,” Shanahan said about the RB Tuesday.

Shanahan doesn’t anticipate Christian McCaffrey playing in the preseason after suffering a calf strain pic.twitter.com/O22vSbt3AR

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 6, 2024

Christian McCaffrey, 28, has been an offensive juggernaut since joining the 49ers midway through the 2022 season. The Colorado native has amassed nearly 4,000 scrimmage yards and 39 touchdowns (regular season and playoffs) in 33 games played in Red & Gold. He has also throw for a score as well, making him the complete package for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

The player successfully negotiated a revised contract for himself over the offseason, locking him into SF through the 2027 season.

The 49ers Infamous Injury Bug Strikes Again

Christian McCaffrey isn’t the only 49ers’ ballcarrier to bang up this training camp.

Shanahan also revealed that RB Elijah Mitchell suffered a hamstring strain and will miss some time. Mitchell has been missing from training camp practices for the last few days, causing some speculation that an ailment had occurred.

To supplement the loss of Mitchell, the 49ers signed fan favorite Matt Breida Monday, spending three years with the Red & Gold from 2017-2019.

“Elijah has a strained hamstring too. Didn’t pull it, but we’re going to be safe with him,” Shanahan stated. “He’s going to miss probably a week or so. So we had to bring Matt in, which was awesome to have Matt available. We needed some numbers out there and to be able to get a legit player who’s had a hell of a career, who’s been here before too, felt pretty fortunate.”

Mitchell adds to both McCaffrey and rookie RB Isaac Guerendo on the 49ers’ injury list. All three men have soft tissue issues at this time, with precautions being made to get them ready for the regular season.

Additionally, rookie WR Ricky Pearsall re-aggravated his offseason shoulder injury Tuesday. The first-round pick was removed from practice halfway through and did not reappear. Pearsall sported a blue non-contact jersey during 49ers’ OTAs because of said injury. He missed the team’s first four training camp practices due to a hamstring injury as well.

In light of all the injuries, the 49ers are not expected to play a majority of their starters in Saturday’s 2024 preseason opener with the Tennessee Titans.

“I’m not going to say it exactly here, but we don’t plan on many of the starters to play. I know some guys will have to, but for the most part starters shouldn’t be in much if at all,” Shanahan said.