Christian McCaffrey is INACTIVE for tonight’s 49ers game against the New York Jets – and could miss Week Two

San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey was officially inactive for the team’s season debut against the New York Jets with a calf injury.  

Before Monday night, McCaffrey was confident he would play and said his injury was ‘not a concern’. 

It does not appear McCaffrey will be out long-term if he was a game-time decision by San Francisco. 

However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said with a shorter week, McCaffrey has a ‘real chance’ of missing Sunday’s game against the Vikings, also with discomfort in his Achilles. 

McCaffrey was listed as questionable by the 49ers heading into the matchup and signs pointed to him suiting up, even if limited. 

McCaffrey is viewed as one of, if not the, best running back in the NFL and his absence changed the game plan for both teams. 

McCaffrey’s absence gave Jordan Mason the heavy workload from the 49ers backfield. In his spot start, Mason rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown. 

Mason has been the backup running back in San Francisco for the last two seasons after the team signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2022. 

The 49ers began their season on Monday Night Football in a marquee matchup, with Aaron Rodgers on the opposite sideline, defeating the Jest 32-19. 

It was Rodgers first game back on the gridiron since tearing his Achilles four offensive snaps into his Jets career as part of the first Monday game a year ago. 

McCaffrey was acquired by the 49ers in 2022 after spending the first several years of his career with the Carolina Panthers. This was only the second time McCaffrey missed a start in San Francisco.