Both Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel (left), who were both injured, exited Sunday’s 49ers game. They were both photographed in December. (Image courtesy of Getty Images/Thearon W. Henderson))
Due to injuries, San Francisco studs Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel were unable to finish the game on Sunday. However, both players may be available for the 49ers’ Monday night game against the Vikings.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers do not consider McCaffrey’s rib/oblique problem or Samuel’s shoulder injury to be long-term issues.
According to Schefter, Monday’s game might include both of the adaptable offensive weapons as well as All-Pro left lineman Trent Williams, who was able to play through an ankle strain sustained during Sunday’s loss to the Browns.
This week’s practices for the three players will provide a better indication of whether any or all of them can play against the Vikings.
On Sunday’s opening play for the 49ers, wide receiver Samuel injured his shoulder after a carry. He continued to play for a few more plays but eventually exited and did not come back. Coach Kyle Shanahan of San Francisco gave an update on Monday, stating that Samuel was day-to-day.
In an appearance on FanDuel TV and YouTube’s “Up & Adams Show” on Wednesday, Samuel stated that he was still experiencing “a lot sore[ness]” following a blow to his bicep that momentarily numbed his arm.
Samuel informed host Kay Adams, “We’re going to try everything to get ready for Monday and just see how it goes during the week.” “From Sunday to today, it’s significantly better than it was.”
Less was known about McCaffrey, who Shananan said was having an MRI on Monday when the coach spoke to the reporters. Although the specific play that caused the injury to the running back is unknown, he was observed stretching on the sidelines in the third quarter.
In that quarter, McCaffrey made one carry back before ending his game. Shanahan stated that Williams, who left the game on Sunday for a short while before coming back, was day-to-day.
After All-Pro selections in their respective careers, McCaffrey and Samuel left the 49ers, the offense sputtered. The 49ers are now 5-1 after their 19-17 loss to Cleveland. They and the Eagles, who also lost their opening game on Sunday against the Jets, were still tied for first place in the NFC.
McCaffrey, the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, leads the NFL in rushing yards with 553 and has 15 straight games with a touchdown. The 49ers would probably look to Elijah Mitchell, the team’s top rusher in 2021, and Jordan Mason, who scored a touchdown following McCaffrey’s departure, to handle running back duties if he missed Monday night’s game against 2-4 Minnesota.
Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud figure to receive increased playing opposite fellow wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, meanwhile, if Samuel can’t go.
Brock Purdy, a second-year quarterback who started for San Francisco on Sunday and lost his first game of the regular season, will have a chance to recover on Monday. Against the Browns, who have one of the best defenses in the NFL, Purdy only completed 12 of his 27 pass attempts for 125 yards and threw his first interception of the season.
Only three prominent NFL players—McCaffrey, Samuel, and Williams—were hurt during the weekend. After Buffalo’s close victory over the Giants, quarterback Josh Allen of the Bills is experiencing shoulder pain, while teammate Damien Harris was carted out of the game in an ambulance after sustaining a neck sprain after a tackle. According to coach Sean McDermott, he was discharged from a hospital in the Buffalo region and entered concussion protocol on Monday.
Other quarterbacks hurt on Sunday included Jimmy Garoppolo of Las Vegas (back), Ryan Tannehill of Tennessee (ankle), Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence (knee), and Chicago’s Justin Fields (dislocated thumb).
The NFL season has had a terrible start in terms of injuries; players who have missed time through six weeks include Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Aaron Rodgers, Sauce Gardner, Cooper Kupp, Nick Chubb, Travis Kelce, Justin Jefferson, Jalen Ramsey, and Austin Ekeler.
