The health of a quartet of 49ers stars is the big storyline as the Vikings hope to pull an upset on Monday night and increase momentum entering a stretch of games that looks a lot more winnable than the gauntlet they’ve started the first seven weeks of the season with.
While reports out of San Fran on Monday suggested that wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) are day-to-day, there’s less information about running back Christian McCaffrey, who left Sunday’s game against the Browns with oblique and ribs injuries.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey was undergoing an MRI on Monday and now Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area is reporting that “McCaffrey’s injury is more of a pain-tolerance thing.”
As I understand it, Christian McCaffrey's injury is more of a pain-tolerance thing. The extra day helps. At this point, it's not out of the question McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams can all be available for MNF vs. the Vikings. https://t.co/A0Dpu3Ny4m
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 17, 2023
That’s significant because if McCaffrey can handle the pain, the 49ers could enter the showdown in Minneapolis with all of their key players, albeit not all of them at 100%.
McCaffrey has been a monster since being traded from Carolina to the 49ers. He’s scored a touchdown in 15 consecutive games and he leads the NFL in rushing yards (553) and rushing first downs (30) this season. Had had 10 touchdowns in 11 games with San Francisco last season and he already has nine touchdowns (7 rushing, 2 receiving) in six games this season.
If McCaffrey misses the game the backup running backs are Jordan Mason (117 yards, 2 TD on 21 carries this season) and Elijah MItchell (48 rushing yards on 18 carries).
If McCaffrey plays, it’s bad news for Minnesota. If he’s held out, it’s potentially a game-changer for both teams.
