49ers' Christian McCaffrey Gives Calf Injury Update, Says He'd Play if it Was Week 1

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who suffered a right calf strain during a training camp practice last Sunday, told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he would play if the team had a regular-season game.

"Yeah, I feel great," McCaffrey said per Marc Adams of 49erswebzone.com. "Very cautionary stuff. If we had a game, I would play, but just trying to be smart right now. But still training, still getting a bunch of work in, so that come Week 1, we're ready to roll."

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan previously told reporters that McCaffrey would sit out the entire preseason and likely a few weeks of practice as well.

The 49ers open the season on Monday, Sept. 9 at home against the New York Jets. Obviously, it would behoove the 49ers to have McCaffrey healthy and good to go for a season-opening matchup against Gang Green, which allowed the third-fewest yards per play in 2023.

McCaffrey, the reigning Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year, just finished with an NFL-high 2,023 yards and 21 touchdowns. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro who also finished third in the NFL MVP voting as well.

Thankfully, it appears that he'll be fine for Week 1. It at least gives the 49ers offense more stability at a time when the team's top returning wideout, Brandon Aiyuk, has requested a trade amid a contract dispute over a long-term deal, putting his San Francisco future in question.

If McCaffrey has to miss any time, then Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell would presumably be next in line for carries. Both were listed next on the latest unofficial 49ers depth chart. Mason has rushed for 5.6 yards per carry on his 83 lifetime attempts. Mitchell notably amassed 1,100 yards and six touchdowns in 2021.