All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey misses the 49ers' opener against the Jets with a calf injury

Updated Sep. 10, 2024 12:49 a.m. ET

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey missed the season opener against the New York Jets because of a sore calf and Achilles tendon that has hampered him all summer.

McCaffrey got hurt early in training camp and missed four weeks of practice before returning to the field last week. He was listed as questionable and said he expected to play Monday night. But he was a surprise scratch for the game.

“He didn’t have a setback. It was it was on and off throughout the week,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He was able to practice throughout the week. Just, it was always bothered him to a degree. Sometimes it goes away, sometimes it comes back. Today it was bothering a little too much to where we didn’t feel good about it.”

Jordan Mason replaced McCaffrey and delivered 147 yards rushing and a touchdown on 28 carries in San Francisco's 32-19 win.

Mason said in a television interview after the game that he was told on Friday he would start even though McCaffrey was listed as questionable for the game. But Shanahan said the decision wasn't made until Monday.

Regardless, Mason made sure that McCaffrey's absence wouldn't prove costly.

“Not having Christian is huge, but we got a team that really commits to running the ball,” Shanahan said. “We got 10 guys out there who block for whoever the running back is. We got some running backs and some receivers who know how to lower their pads and run the ball too.”

McCaffrey led the NFL last season with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and was tied for the league lead with 21 touchdowns, winning AP Offensive Player of the Year.

San Francisco also activated All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams to the 53-man roster after his lengthy contract holdout. Brandon Parker was released to make room.

The Niners also promoted defensive end Sam Okuayinonu and safety Tracy Walker from the practice squad to play against the Jets.

The other inactive players for San Francisco were defensive end Yetur Gross Matos (knee), safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee), linebacker Dee Winters (ankle), offensive lineman Ben Bartch and cornerback Darrell Luter. Joshua Dobbs was the emergency third quarterback.

The Jets also made several roster moves Monday. They signed offensive lineman Jake Hanson and linebacker Sam Eguavoen to the active roster and placed linebacker Zaire Barnes on injured reserve. Tight end Anthony Firkser and defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes were promoted from the practice squad for the game. New York also signed running back Kene Nwangwu to the practice squad.

The inactive players for the Jets were offensive lineman Max Mitchell, running back Israel Abanikanda, tackler Carter Warren, tight end Brenden Bates, defensive lineman Eric Watts, defensive lineman Leonard Taylor and cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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