San Francisco 49ers star running back, Christian McCaffrey, has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Minnesota. McCaffrey, of course, did not play in Monday night's win over the New York Jets, either. How long will McCaffrey be out? At this point, it's anyone's guess.
49ers general manager John Lynch joined KNBR on Friday and admitted that IR (Injured Reserve) was a possibility for the NFL's reigning Offensive Player of the Year. "If that's the right thing, it's what we'll do," Lynch said. "We'll consult. We'll, first of all, see how he's doing today after getting a good work session in yesterday, see how he responds. And then, all options now, as Kyle [Shanahan] has said, are on the table. We're going to do what's right for Christian, right for our team."
On Tuesday, Shanahan spoke like injured reserve was not an option for McCaffrey. "No, I've never considered that. I was considering him to play [on Monday night], so definitely not thinking about four weeks off." But after ruling him out for Sunday's game, Shanahan changed his tune. "It's something we're considering now," Shanahan said. "Yeah, yesterday was his worst day. It's on and off, but with yesterday having the most pain, it's something we're going to be discussing here the next 24 hours."
So what exactly is the injury McCaffrey is dealing with? Can it get worse? How long might he be out? These are questions 49ers fans are asking. Certainly, the 49ers need to tread lightly, especially considering what happened to star LB Dre Greenlaw, who after dealing with Achilles issues last year, ruptured his Achilles while returning to the field during the Super Bowl.
Dr. Nirav Pandya, Professor of UCSF Orthopedic Surgery and Director of Sports Medicine at Benioff Children's Hospital, took to social media this week and explained how an Achilles injury is related to a calf injury, which was the first injury McCaffrey was said to be dealing with. "Tendonitis is inflammation of the structures that connect muscles to bones," Dr. Pandyasaid. "Most commonly this occurs due to repetitive overuse or injury. The goal is to prevent this from progressing to tendinosis in which the collagen in the tendon begins to break down/degenerate (becoming a chronic issue) or progressing to a complete rupture of the tendon. The calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) connect to the heel via the Achilles tendon.
"It therefore is not uncommon for athletes with calf injuries to have involvement of their Achilles or have the injury progress to involving this structure. Treatment involves decreasing inflammation/pain while maintaining flexibility/strength. The cornerstone of treatment is decreasing load/usage. Return-to-play timelines are difficult to predict as the severity can vary based on the degree of inflammation and pre-existing damage to the tendon."
Quick re: Achilles tendonitis and Christian McCaffrey for #49ers fans. Tendonitis is inflammation of the structures that connect muscles to bones. Most commonly this occurs due to repetitive overuse or injury.The goal is to prevent this from progressing to tendinosis in…
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) September 11, 2024
Dr. Pandya said that Achilles tendonitis increases the risk of an Achilles rupture, but added that this is not as common as one might think. According to Dr. Pandya, studies have shown the rate is between 4-10%. The 49ers certainly hope McCaffrey is not in that group.
And yes, athletes with Achilles tendonitis do have a risk of Achilles tendon rupture although it is not as high as you would think. The rate varies somewhere between 4 % to 10%. #49ers https://t.co/Iar5jOWS8e— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) September 12, 2024
Dr. Pandya adds that there are varying degrees of Achilles tendonitis based on the amount of inflammation, which makes predicting McCaffrey's return more difficult. Dr. Pandya wrote, "Not all cases are severe but some injuries can take several weeks, if not months, to resolve." The 49ers might be able to live without McCaffrey for weeks, but certainly not months. As great as Jordan Mason was on Monday night, San Francisco needs McCaffrey. They are a different offense with him than they are without him.
It's important to note that Dr. Pandya mentioned that a decrease in workload "is key for this injury to prevent chronic changes to the tendon." 49ers fans have been clamoring for a decrease in McCaffrey's workload for some time, all the while calling for more of Mason. And now the fanbase will get that, although not the way they wanted.
The 49ers will make a decision soon regarding McCaffrey potentially going on IR. If this happens, he will miss at least four games. The bigger question will be if that amount of time is enough for the All-Pro running back to heal. With this injury, it's not just about getting back to the level of play McCaffrey is accustomed to, it's about not making the injury worse.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel likely won the respect of his team Wednesday. However, he may have needed a few stitches afterward. The Patriots hosted a joint practice with the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson took a Commanders pass-rusher to the ground in pass protection, resulting in a scuffle. Vrabel then jumped in to help stop the fight. His face was bloodied after both teams calmed down. Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye loved that his coach was willing to step in. In a news conference after practice, the 22-year-old passer said that's the mentality the team needs. "That's what we're trying to build," he said. "The intensity, bringing it every day, taking no cr-p when we're out on the field. But also, it comes a time where, with our guys offensively, and getting over there and getting some tussles and kind of having some penalties, and extra after the whistle, can get us in trouble. But for mentality, I like it. I mean, I almost got in there, but I think maybe another day, maybe." His new coach doesn't want the QB to get in any brawls. The Patriots are banking on the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft being the franchise's future. Plus, he doesn't need to worry about the Patriots' intensity with Vrabel in the building. New England wide receiver DeMario Douglas noted the former linebacker didn't seem rattled after breaking up the scrap. "I said, 'Coach, what's wrong with you?' And he said, 'You should have seen the other guy,'" Douglas told the media while smiling. "I just saw the scar on his face but didn't know what was happening." Vrabel likely sent two messages at Wednesday's practice. He won't tolerate an undisciplined team but also has his players' backs. That could go a long way for a Patriots squad aiming to improve after a 4-13 season.
Marshall Faulk is Colorado's new running backs coach, and the Buffaloes could not ask for someone with better experience for the job. That's, of course, because this is Faulk's first coaching gig. As a player, though, there were few better than the Pro Football Hall of Famer. In 12 seasons in the NFL, he rushed 2,836 times for 12,279 yards and 100 total touchdowns. He was a league MVP, a seven-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champ. Faulk was the real deal, and now he has a chance to pass his experiences on to the running backs at Colorado. For him, it's more than just the opportunity to coach football, though. He gets to coach under Deion Sanders, whom he views as a major difference-maker for the game of football. "You guys know him in a different way than I know him," Faulk said in a recent media availability (h/t On3). "We’ve been friends for many years. We worked together in television. We always talk just about the game and probably more about kids coming up in the game. How do you affect and make sure they come into the game the right way? He’s one of those way makers. When you pay attention to kids that’s gonna leave this program and go to the next level, they’re gonna do it in a certain way and you’re gonna say, 'Wow, they were coached by a guy who understands how to get it done.' I identify with that." Colorado can certainly use Faulk's expertise heading into 2025. There are several players battling for the starting role after Isaiah Augustave transferred to South Carolina. Even then, he was Colorado's leading rusher last season while rushing for just 384 yards and four touchdowns, so it's not like the Buffs have a big gap that they're trying to replace. Dekalon Taylor transferred in from Incarnate Word, where he rushed for 909 yards and nine touchdowns last season, so he'll be a player to watch. Dallan Hayden, Micah Welch, Simeon Price and Charlie Offerdahl are also names to know. Faulk will have his work cut out for him, but he seems excited to make a difference both on and off the field for these young Buffaloes. "So coming here not just to win games on the field, but to win the game off the field, which is to make sure that these young men in life become what they want to become outside of football. They become the father that they want to be, the brother, the husband. Making sure that they do that, that’s the important part. That was attractive," he said.
The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base was crushed on Tuesday when they saw rookie quarterback Will Howard go down with an injury. While Howard wasn’t expected to start in 2025 with Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph ahead of him, he had been turning heads in training camp with his poise and strong arm. Many fans were looking forward to watching him in the preseason, but those hopes were put on hold when NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Howard had suffered a fractured small bone in his hand, according to sources. Howard is expected to miss at least three weeks, which means he will likely miss the entire preseason. That is a tough blow to his development, especially after climbing the depth chart and passing Skylar Thompson thanks to his impressive camp performances. The reps he would have gotten in preseason games were seen as crucial for building confidence and gaining experience at the NFL level. With Howard out, Thompson suddenly has a chance to reclaim the backup role he lost. Speaking to Pittsburgh media on Wednesday, Thompson addressed the injury and the opportunity in front of him. He said he felt for Howard and wished him a speedy recovery, but also added that he is ready to compete and take full advantage of the reps coming his way. "You know, yeah, I have just been preparing this whole time as if I am the guy getting the reps," Thompson told the Pittsburgh media via video from 93.7 The Fan. "Really nothing is going to change other than me getting the reps physically now. So I am looking forward to the opportunity and getting out there to go and play football." It was a normal and direct response from Thompson. It’s a tricky spot for the veteran, who can’t be thrilled about being the fourth quarterback on the Steelers' depth chart. Thompson previously served as a backup with the Miami Dolphins and has had a handful of opportunities in the NFL. Unfortunately for him, he hasn’t capitalized on those chances the way he had hoped. Now, with a fresh opportunity in Pittsburgh, he has a real shot to climb the depth chart and claim the third-string job. Howard had been gaining momentum quickly during training camp, and there’s no question this injury, while not serious in the long term, raises concern about his progress being stalled. Missing valuable preseason reps is a blow for any rookie, especially one trying to solidify his role behind experienced quarterbacks like Rodgers and Rudolph. With Howard sidelined, Thompson will look to take full advantage of the opportunity in front of him. He knows he needs to prove he is good enough to avoid being passed over by a sixth-round rookie. For Thompson, this could be one of his last real chances to stick on an NFL roster and show he belongs. Steelers' Preseason Games Get A Lot Less Interesting Without Will Howard No one is truly banking on Thompson to be anything other than the third-string quarterback in Pittsburgh. There was some slight optimism that Howard could get off to a hot start in the preseason and show he might be worth taking a deeper look at, possibly even being the franchise savior. For a sixth-round rookie, missing valuable preseason reps is a major blow, especially with the fact that Pittsburgh will be drafting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. This is adversity for Howard, but it’s nothing he’s not used to. Steelers fans are disappointed that they won’t get to watch Howard in the preseason.
Running back James Cook seemingly surprised the Buffalo Bills when he changed course regarding his desire for a multi-year contract extension and stopped participating in training-camp practices as part of a hold-in. For an article published on Wednesday night, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic spoke with Zac Hiller, one of Cook’s agents, about the 25-year-old's mindset as the ball-carrier remains in the final year of his rookie deal this summer. "James Cook only wants to be a Buffalo Bill," Hiller said. "This isn’t some $200M Micah Parsons-Jerry Jones negotiation. We’re hopeful there’s a resolution soon, and we’ll keep working toward that every day." Cook previously suggested he wants to earn around $15M per season via an extension. However, that was before Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams agreed to a three-year, $33M deal that included $23M in guaranteed money. While Buscaglia noted that "it’s an imperfect comparison," the perception exists that the Bills may now feel that Cook isn't worth more than $11M per year. According to StatMuse, Cook has recorded the ninth-most regular-season rushing yards (2,131) since Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. ESPN stats show that Cook, Baltimore Ravens star Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions finished last season leading the league with 16 rushing touchdowns each. According to Buscaglia, "there is no indication" that Buffalo will trade Cook before the upcoming season gets underway. That makes sense considering the 2025 Bills are expected to do more than simply compete for a playoff berth. As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Buffalo and Baltimore tied as the betting favorites at +600 odds to win Super Bowl LX. Buscaglia added that the Bills and Cook could agree to a reworked one-year deal "with enhanced bonus incentives to potentially earn more in a single season." It's unclear how Cook would feel about punting conversations about a potential multi-year extension down the road with Buffalo's regular-season opener against Baltimore still a month away (Sept. 7). For what it's worth, ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg shared on Wednesday that Cook "is continuing to talk with the team" amid his hold-in.