49ers' McCaffrey expects normal workload in opener

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — If all goes in line with plan in Monday night time’s opener in opposition to the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey believes he is not going to solely be taking part in however dealing with his normal quantity of snaps.

After lacking most of coaching camp with a calf and Achilles harm, McCaffrey returned to observe Tuesday and took part in Thursday’s and Friday’s periods as effectively.

On Friday, McCaffrey spoke to Bay Space media for the primary time because the harm, and though he did not provide expansive solutions on something health-related, he made it clear what he expects to occur Monday.

Requested if there’s any doubt he’ll play in opposition to the Jets, McCaffrey stated merely, “No.”

Requested if he’ll take his regular, heavy workload, McCaffrey stated, “I hope so.”

Earlier Friday, Niners normal supervisor John Lynch informed KNBR radio in San Francisco that McCaffrey would “be on the market and able to roll” in opposition to the Jets assuming he continues by the remainder of the observe week.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan first introduced that McCaffrey strained a calf on Aug. 6, noting that the star working again would miss the whole preseason slate and some weeks of observe.

That is precisely the way it performed out, as McCaffrey did not return to observe formally till Tuesday’s “bonus” observe, although he’d been working and dealing on the facet for a few weeks earlier than that.

Though McCaffrey has been formally listed as restricted the previous couple of days, he has been transferring round on the observe subject with no seen restrictions. He stated he was feeling “a lot better” Friday.

“He seems to be like Christian to me,” run recreation coordinator Chris Foerster stated. “It is advisable to observe, so the blokes who have not practiced, I do not need to say there’s rust, however there’s all the time slightly one thing that goes on simply because they have not been doing it on daily basis. There’s simply that grind of on daily basis, day after day. However he is seemed good.”

As a result of the Niners did not need to put up an official harm report till Thursday, the addition of the Achilles to McCaffrey’s harm description raised some eyebrows. Shanahan stated Thursday that the Achilles was associated to the calf and a part of the preliminary harm that landed McCaffrey on the sideline in early August.

McCaffrey stated the Achilles is “not a priority” when requested if there was any long-term fear. In a mid-August interview, he stated he would have been capable of play if there have been a regular-season or playoff recreation arising.

Teammates expect a powerful encore to the 1,459 dashing yards, 564 receiving yards and 21 complete touchdowns McCaffrey posted in 2023 on his technique to the NFL Offensive Participant of the Yr Award.

“He has an extremely excessive customary for himself,” tight finish George Kittle stated. “He takes this extremely critically … so, I consider that Christian goes to have one other nice 12 months. I feel he’ll most likely compete for the MVP.”

Whereas McCaffrey was recovering, Jordan Mason emerged as the first again, a powerful indication he can be first in line to take any snaps McCaffrey would possibly miss. The Niners even have rookie Isaac Guerendo and veteran Patrick Taylor Jr. on the roster at working again. Guerendo has additionally been restricted in observe this week due to a groin harm.

For now, McCaffrey stated he is not involved about something apart from preparing for the Jets and kicking off the common season.

“It is simply taking it one play at a time,” McCaffrey stated. “I do not like to have a look at what’s forward. Every play has a lifetime of its personal. Simply do what it’s a must to do on every play, handle the issues that you could management after which go from there.”