49ers Without Star Player, 3 Vikings Questionable
Both the 49ers and the Vikings won their dominant Week 1 performance over the New York teams. The Vikings hope to reach their first 2-0 record in almost a decade (2016), while the 49ers, the defending NFC champions, hope to get off to a hot start, making life easier for the franchise to clinch another Super Bowl participation.
49ers Without Star Player, 3 Vikings Questionable
Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers are a star-filled team with All-Pros all over the roster. Last year, when the Vikings surprisingly beat San Francisco, the 49ers missed future Hall of Famer and 11-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams and receiver (and sometimes running back) Deebo Samuel.
This time, Christian McCaffrey will miss the game with his Achilles/calf injury. Adam Schefter tweeted on Friday: “49ers ruled out RB Christian McCaffrey for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings due to his calf injury and Achilles tendonitis.”
The team is also considering placing him on IR, which would rule him out for at least four games. An absence would not only give his fantasy managers a headache but also the Minnesota-born Shanahan.
McCaffrey was awarded the Offensive Player of the Year trophy for his excellent 2023 season. He led the league in scrimmage yards and touchdowns on his way to his third Pro Bowl. CMC ranked third in MVP voting, showing his importance.
His replacement, Jordan Mason, had an outstanding game against the Jets in Week 1. The undrafted third-year player registered 28 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown. Shanahan’s offense is known for its running game, and his scheme isn’t easy to solve, regardless of the identity of the runner. While Mason is surely a downgrade from McCaffrey, it didn’t look like it on Monday.
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year will miss the 49ers/Vikings bound, and the same thing happened last year.
Minnesota challenged the 49ers without Justin Jefferson, who was McCaffrey’s predecessor. This time, Jefferson is available. Unfortunately, his supporting cast will be limited, with T.J. Hockenson still on the PUP list.
Fellow weapon Jordan Addison has been ruled out with his ankle injury. It will be the first absence of his career. The sophomore excelled last season when he was forced to replace Jefferson, and he did a marvelous job, connecting with Kirk Cousins numerous times.
His backups, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, and Trishton Jackson, will be asked to support Jefferson.
The Vikings list three players as questionable: Harrison Smith, Ed Ingram, and Brian O’Neill.
Smith suffered a minor hip injury, and head coach Kevin O’Connell talked about him as if he’s likely to suit up on Sunday.
The veteran safety is a sure-fire Ring of Honor inductee once his playing days are behind him. He has agreed to pay cuts in back-to-back offseasons, and fans are well aware that 2024 could be his final year in the league.
Smith caught his 35th interception in Week 1 and is still an effective player on the field despite turning 35 in February. He is also an important vocal leader in the secondary.
The Vikings need Ingram and O’Neill against San Francisco’s outstanding defensive line. Ingram suffered a biceps and O’Neill an elbow injury.
Their backups are likely veteran offensive tackle David Quessenberry and experienced interior lineman Dan Feeney (Dalton Risner is on IR). Nick Bosa and his crew would certainly prefer to meet those backups.
As expected, neither team is fully healthy entering Week 2, but it will be an intriguing test for the Vikings against an excellent team after Week 1’s promising season opener.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt