Will Christian McCaffrey play in Week 1 vs Jets? All about 49ers RB's injury status

Christian McCaffrey didn't feature in any of the three preseason games the San Francisco 49ers played this year after he injured his calf during practice on Aug. 4. Niners’ supporters and fantasy football owners must have been concerned that the running back wouldn't start the regular season due to the calf issue given his absence from the preseason.

However, it seems that the calf strain is not severe enough to prevent McCaffery from playing in the season opener. Given how crucial McCaffery is to the 49ers offense, his absence from the preseason was essentially a precaution to shield him from any further harm before the regular season.

Christian McCaffrey said, "Yeah, I feel great," in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio following his absence from the 49ers’ opening preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. "Very cautionary stuff. If we had a game, I would play, but I'm just trying to be smart right now," he added.

McCaffrey stressed in the same interview that he is still working hard and training in order to be prepared for the season's first game.

In addition, Christian McCaffery's calf injury is not considered serious by 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. More significantly, Shanahan seems to expect the former Carolina Panthers RB to play against the New York Jets in Week 1.

Christian McCaffrey's fantasy football outlook in 2024

Christian McCaffrey was the best running back in fantasy football last year, recording 272 rushing attempts for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns in 16 regular season games. In addition, he caught 67 passes on 83 targets for 564 yards and seven touchdowns.

Given McCaffery's standing in the league and the fact that he has averaged 20+ fantasy points a game in four of the last six seasons, fantasy managers are now accustomed to expecting that kind of elite productivity from him.

The injury risk he carries is the only reason fantasy managers can hesitate to select Christian McCaffery. Despite the legitimate concern about his injuries, McCaffrey is too good to pass on as a top pick, especially now that he looks ready to play in Week 1.

When is the San Francisco 49ers Week 1 game against the New York Jets?

The New York Jets will travel to Levi's Stadium on Monday Night Football to play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. The game is scheduled to kick off by 8:20 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 9.

The Week 1 matchup between the Jets and the Niners is expected to feature Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who hasn't played since he suffered an Achilles injury during the team's Week 1 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11, 2023.

When the 49ers play the Jets in the season opener, Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy and the other players on the Niners' roster will be trying to get over their devastating overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.