Monday night is nearing and the 49ers still aren’t sure — or at least not saying publicly — if running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams will play against the Vikings.
None of them practiced again on Friday. What’s that mean for Monday?
“I don’t know what to be as of yet,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said Friday on KNBR’s Murph and Mac show. “I think [head coach Kyle Shanahan] characterized all those guys, Christian, Deebo, and Trent, as day-to-day, and I think that’s truly where they are.”
If any of them miss the game it’ll be a huge bonus to Minnesota as the Vikings look to win and get to 3-4. A win would perhaps delay the idea of hitting the sell button before the Oct. 31 trade deadline, while a loss would drop them to 2-5 and sour the possibility of making a run to the postseason.
Lynch did hint that the 49ers aren’t going to rush any player back from injury.
“We always have to have their health and safety at our primary concern, always will, and make sure that they’re safe being out there,” Lynch said. “So a lot to factor in, and we’ll just kind of let that continue to play out. But I know they’re all doing their best to get back out there for their team.”
Officially, the 49ers had McCaffrey, Samuel, Williams, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and left guard Aaron Banks, all of whom are starters, sit out Friday’s practice.
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ injury report on Friday makes it unlikely that Ezra Cleveland will be starting at left guard as he missed a second straight day of practice with a foot injury. If he can’t go, Dalton Risner would likely start in his place.
Cornerback Akayleb Evans (oblique), edge rusher Pat Jones II (shoulder) and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (hamstring) were all limited in Friday’s practice.
