The 49ers' offense could be in a perfect spot for a bounce back after Christian McCaffrey update
The San Francisco 49ers had three huge injury scares in their Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, but Kyle Shanahan is likely to be breathing a lot easier having learned the extent of each of those problems. Head coach Shanahan confirmed on his Monday conference call that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and […]
The San Francisco 49ers had three huge injury scares in their Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, but Kyle Shanahan is likely to be breathing a lot easier having learned the extent of each of those problems.
Head coach Shanahan confirmed on his Monday conference call that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) were both considered day to day.
At the time, he could offer no insight on running back Christian McCaffrey's oblique/rib issue. The running back was still getting imaging done when Shanahan held his conference call. However, respected NBC Sports Bay Area beat writer Matt Maiocco shed light on McCaffrey's injury in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
Maiocco wrote: "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."
There's still a week of practice ahead to determine each of their statuses for the primetime clash with the Minnesota Vikings, but each of that trio playing on Monday Night Football appeared unlikely after McCaffrey and Samuel each left the 19-17 defeat to Cleveland and Williams, having battled through his ankle injury, emerged for his press conference in a walking boot.
San Francisco has the talent to survive injuries to a few of its stars for a short amount of time, but the reality is that, for its attack to operate at peak levels, it needs the ultra-versatile McCaffrey and Samuel and the game's premier left tackle on the field.
The 49ers averaged just 3.9 yards per play against the Browns as McCaffrey and Samuel departed and Williams played banged up. If all three are indeed available to face what should be a much more hospitable Vikings defense, the Niners' high-powered offense that had averaged over 33 points a game prior to Week 6 should be excellently placed to deliver a bounce-back performance.
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