For the second-straight day, three of the 49ers’ most important offensive players missed practice. The health of the offense is in precarious territory ahead of a Monday night game in Minnesota.
The trio of Christian McCaffrey (oblique), Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and Trent Williams (ankle) all missed practice on Friday after being held out on Thursday. The second practice of the week tends to be the most substantial. Saturday is their last chance to get on the field before Monday’s contest.
Meanwhile, Aaron Banks (ankle), Dre Greenlaw (hamstring), and Isaiah Oliver (knee) were all limited.
Kyle Shanahan joined Tolbert and Copes following practice to provide context to the injuries to the star trio.
“None of them could practice today because of their injuries,” Shanahan said. “We’re not ruling them out for this week. When we say day-to-day that means we’re waiting each day to see how they come in the next morning because they don’t have stuff to where they for sure can’t play. They have chances to recover here. It’s nice having a Monday night game because it gives them one extra day to do that. They’re getting closer, but they haven’t been good enough to get out there and practice.”
McCaffrey was seen doing side field work with his jersey on, per Cam Inman, but his lack of practice involvement is obviously of major concern. At this point, it would not be surprising if all three are listed as questionable or doubtful for Monday’s contest.
That extra day and even the late start time, however, could provide a bit of cause for optimism.
For the Vikings, their injury report was identical on Thursday and Friday:
Did not practice:
- G Ezra Cleveland (foot)
Limited:
- CB Akayleb Evans (oblique)
- DE Patrick Jones (shoulder)
- WR Jalen Nailor (hamstring)
Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson remains on injured reserve for Minnesota, which has seen rookie Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn take on increased roles.
For the 49ers, Jaylon Moore would likely replace Trent Williams at left tackle. Elijah Mitchell has been healthy and is in line to take over as the lead back with McCaffrey out, though Jordan Mason will surely see a fair dose of involvement, too. Ray-Ray McCloud took over Samuel’s role when he went out, though a gameplan without Samuel would likely increase rookie Ronnie Bell’s involvement.