Christian McCaffrey has no intention of being a sideline observer when the San Francisco 49ers face the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. The running back is dealing with an oblique injury that forced his exit from Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns. He has been day-to-day since but has not yet practiced this week.
A lack of practice reps may not keep him out of the game, though. According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, earlier this week, McCaffrey asked his head coach, Kyle Shanahan, not to take anything out of the Week 7 game plan and prepare for the Vikings as if he were going to play, even if he doesn't practice.
"His intent is clear," notes Wagoner.
It guarantees nothing in terms of his availability for Monday night but earlier this week, #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey asked Kyle Shanahan to not take anything out of game plan and to prepare for McCaffrey to play, even if he doesn't take practice reps.
His intent is clear.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 20, 2023
Wagoner and other reporters did get a glimpse of McCaffrey during Friday's practice session. The running back worked with a trainer on a side field while his teammates engaged in on-field activities.
As of now, San Francisco hasn't officially ruled anyone out of the Monday night game. Both wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and tackle Trent Williams (ankle) are also ailing and did not participate in Friday's practice.
"We always have to have their health and safety as our primary concern, always will, and make sure that they're safe being out there," general manager John Lynch said during a Friday morning radio interview. "So a lot to factor in, and we'll just kind of let that continue to play out. But I know they're all doing their best to get back out there for their team."