The San Francisco 49ers have announced the following roster moves ahead of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings:
- Placed RB Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) on injured reserve.
- Elevated S Tracy Walker III to the active roster.
McCaffrey, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year and rushing champion sat out most of training camp with what was initially called a calf injury. A week ago, the 49ers announced that McCaffrey had a calf injury and an Achilles injury. He did not play last Monday night and now must miss at least four more games, due to his injured reserve designation. McCaffrey will be eligible to return on October 10 when the 49ers travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. A move to fill McCaffrey's spot was not made on Saturday. The 49ers will likely fill that spot next week.
Last season, McCaffrey led or tied for the league lead in multiple areas, including touches (339), rushing yards (1,459), yards from scrimmage (2,032), and scrimmage touchdowns (21). He was named first-team All-Pro and was third in MVP voting.
With McCaffrey sidelined, the 49ers will likely lean on RB Jordan Mason and WR Deebo Samuel to run the ball. Rookie RB Isaac Guerendo and veteran RB Patrick Taylor Jr. are also options in the run game.
Walker, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2018 draft, was elevated for Monday's game against the New York Jets but did not see the field. Walker spent his first six seasons with the Lions before joining the 49ers back in August. He has four career sacks, three career interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Walker will wear number 35 on Sunday.
A practice squad player can be a game-day elevation a maximum of three times before they must either be signed to the active roster or pass through waivers to be re-signed to the practice squad. This is Walker's second elevation in as many weeks, meaning he can only be promoted once more before the 49ers must decide what to do with him.