You won’t be getting any detailed Christian McCaffrey updates any time soon.
Kyle Shanahan provided the closest thing we’ll get on Thursday — which is effectively a usual Wednesday schedule giving the 49ers’ upcoming Monday night matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Shanahan described McCaffrey’s injury as specifically an oblique injury — it was previously designated as oblique/rib — and confirmed that the rib is not involved, but didn’t offer any other clues to his timeline besides describing him as day-to-day.
McCaffrey didn’t practice on Thursday, nor did Deebo Samuel (shoulder), Trent Williams (ankle), Aaron Banks (knee) or Dre Greenlaw (hamstring), all of whom are also considered day-to-day.
It was reported earlier this week by Adam Schefter that McCaffrey keeps information under lock-and-key, and that appears like it will remain the case.
“He’s like a military operative that doesn’t ever want to share anything and doesn’t want anyone to know anything about what’s wrong with him,” Schefter said, using a tone that sounds quite a bit like a reporter who wishes he had information he doesn’t have.
The only other injury note was nickel corner Isaiah Oliver, who was limited with a knee injury. Elijah Mitchell (knee), meanwhile, was a full go, as was George Odum (quad contusion).
As it stands, there’s not a clear lean for Monday’s status for any of these players. Friday’s practice tends to be the heaviest of the week, while Saturday is the last opportunity to get on the field.
Generally, a player will miss a game if they don’t practice all week. The 49ers do, however, make exceptions for key players, of which this week’s injury list is mostly comprised of. The next two days will be informative.
