49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Christian McCaffrey will miss the preseason due to a calf injury.
The issue is expected to keep him out for the entire exhibition schedule, which begins this weekend when the Niners face the Titans in Nashville.
McCaffrey is expected to miss “several weeks” of practice due to the injury. Shanahan told reporters Tuesday..
“Christian has a calf injury,” Shanahan said. “He did it a couple of days ago. He’s OK. It’s not like he’s hurt or anything, but you probably won’t see him play in the preseason.”
The issue doesn’t appear to be too much of a concern, as the schedule should allow the 28-year-old McCaffrey plenty of time to be ready in time for the season opener against the Jets on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 9.
McCaffrey rushed for a league-leading 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns last year in his first full season with the 49ers.
The running back previously spoke about why training camp is so important to him during the first few days of practice.
“For me, it put my body, mind and soul in the best possible condition to play every snap.” “It’s a big deal,” McCaffrey said, according to ESPN.“And as a coach, you have to think about what’s best. But for me, I try to come prepared to play every game and be ready to play at any time.”
The 49ers are already dealing with some issues, including a contract dispute with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, which has been the subject of rumors in recent days.
Aiyuk is seeking a new contract and is currently on “hold.”
McCaffrey is He was asked about it on NFL Network’s “Inside Training Camp Live.” And his initial reference to Aiyuk as a “former teammate” only added fuel to the fire.
“That’s not my job, that’s not my position,” McCaffrey said. “As a former teammate, or his teammate, just any teammate in general, I think it’s natural to love and respect and want the best for them.”
