49ers' Christian McCaffrey Out for Preseason with Calf Strain, Team Signs Matt Breida

The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for their preseason debut against the Tennessee Titans, but head coach Kyle Shanahan has revealed a major setback: star running back Christian McCaffrey will likely miss the entire preseason due to a calf strain.

McCaffrey's Phantom Setback

Shanahan broke the news to reporters, stating, "Christian has a calf strain. Did it a couple of days ago. It's alright. He didn't pull it or anything, but you guys probably won't see him this preseason." McCaffrey's absence is a significant blow to the team's preparations for the upcoming regular season. "Probably a couple weeks," Shanahan noted when asked about how long the injury is expected to keep McCaffrey off the practice field.

Although the two-week timetable gives McCaffrey some time to recuperate before the regular season, this setback raises concerns for the 49ers. The 28-year-old running back had an outstanding 2023 season, earning the Offensive Player of the Year award after leading the league in rushing yards (1,459) and total touchdowns from scrimmage (21).

In addition to McCaffrey's injury, the 49ers are facing other injury concerns within their roster. Running back Elijah Mitchell is also dealing with a hamstring injury. Shanahan mentioned that while Mitchell didn't pull his hamstring, the team is taking a cautious approach and he is expected to miss "probably a week or so" due to the injury.

The mishaps with both McCaffrey and Mitchell prompted the 49ers to bolster their backfield by signing veteran Matt Breida, who previously played for the organization from 2017 to 2019. This move demonstrates the team's proactive approach in addressing the injury setbacks.

Aside from the running back injuries, first-round rookie Ricky Pearsall also experienced a setback during Tuesday's practice, as he tweaked his shoulder and had to be removed from the session. Although the severity of the injury was unknown at the time, it was acknowledged as a reaggravation from an earlier injury suffered during OTAs. With Pearsall being the No. 31 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, his potential impact on the offense could be significant if he can stay healthy and if the team pursues a potential trade for fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk.

A Time for Adjustment

As the preseason approaches, the 49ers find themselves in a challenging position with key players facing injury setbacks. While the team is taking a cautious approach to ensure the well-being of their star players, these developments will require the coaching staff to make necessary adjustments in order to effectively prepare for the regular season.

The 49ers will need to rally together and find ways to overcome these challenges as they look to build on the success of the previous season. With the regular season on the horizon, it is imperative for the team to navigate through these injury issues and find ways to maintain their competitive edge.