Coach Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco 49ers are getting a bye week at the perfect time amid a sea of injuries that cost them their perfect record in a Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, which included a Christian McCaffrey injury scare. Blame was assigned for the 49ers' loss, including to QB Brock Purdy who had a costly interception that was snagged by Jessie Bates of Atlanta.
Following the loss, Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group shared notes from coach Shanahan on McCaffrey and others, and it sounded like good news for the all-world running back.
“McCaffrey has a mild hamstring strain, not thigh. Optimistic he'll be OK for Raiders game post-bye,” Inman wrote.
“Also expected back (but not guaranteed) after bye are WRs (Mike) Evans, (Deebo) Samuel, DE (Nick) Bosa, LB (Luke) Gifford; S (Marques Sigle), DT (CJ) West.”
Shanahan added that no kicker tryouts are in the works.
Article Continues BelowThe 49ers are 6-1 on the season despite tough-luck injuries, and have been encouraged to shake things up with a potential trade for Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Purdy is still the NFL's quarterback rating GOAT, but he is only human and made mistakes amid a hailstorm of injuries against Atlanta.
The 49ers need a healthy McCaffrey to play to their full potential. He has become more durable over the last few seasons, but the NFL is a rough league and no one knows what the future holds. Shanahan did his best to quell injury concerns, now it's time for San Francisco to heal up. Week 9 will bring a home game against the Raiders that looks like another opportunity to move toward home field advantage throughout the playoffs for one of the NFL's best and most star-studded teams.