San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is inactive for Monday’s season opener against the visiting New York Jets.
McCaffrey, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, was listed as questionable but insisted Friday that he would not miss the game. He had nursed a strained calf throughout training camp, and Niners coach Kyle Shanahan revealed last week that the injury includes McCaffrey’s Achilles.
McCaffrey, 28, led the league with 1,459 rushing yards last year, his first full season in San Francisco. The dual-threat back posted a league-best 21 total touchdowns (14 rushing, seven receiving).
McCaffrey has rushed for 6,185 yards and 52 touchdowns, adding 509 receptions for 4,320 yards and 29 scores, in 91 games (84 starts) with the Panthers (2017-22) and 49ers (2022-23).
Jordan Mason is in line to start at running back for the 49ers, who have made the NFC Championship Game in four of the past five seasons, including two Super Bowl losses.