San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, listed questionable with a calf issue after missing Friday practice, is expected to play in the season opener at Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 7, according to multiple NFL insiders who reported he is “good to go” and showing positive signs in pregame week activity.
- Multiple NFL insiders — including Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport — say McCaffrey is expected to play Sunday in Seattle.
- McCaffrey shifted from full practice on Wednesday to limited work Thursday and no practice Friday with a calf concern.
- The 49ers list him as questionable; he removed himself from Friday’s session as a precaution and told reporters he felt great afterward.
- Reports from The Athletic indicate the team is “not overly concerned” and that McCaffrey is not experiencing significant pain.
- Final active/inactive designations are due around 11:35 a.m. local time; kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT at Seattle.
- Because McCaffrey has missed large portions of five prior seasons, even minor issues draw extra attention from fans and media.
Verified Facts
Practice timeline: McCaffrey was a full participant on Wednesday, downgraded to limited participation on Thursday after a calf complaint, and did not take part in Friday’s practice. Team reports frame Friday’s absence as precautionary rather than a clear indicator he will miss the opener.
| Day | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, Sept. 3 | Full | Normal practice |
| Thursday, Sept. 4 | Limited | Calf issue appeared |
| Friday, Sept. 5 | Did not practice | Pulled himself out as precaution; reported feeling “great” |
Insider reports: ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted that McCaffrey “will play,” citing an unnamed source. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Saturday that “signs are pointing towards him playing.” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the back is not in a lot of pain and that the 49ers are not overly worried, per her sources.
Roster mechanics: McCaffrey is officially listed as questionable on the 49ers’ injury report. The team will submit inactive player designations around 11:35 a.m. PT on game day; being on the questionable list does not automatically make a player inactive.
Context & Impact
McCaffrey is the 49ers’ primary offensive weapon when healthy; his availability shapes San Francisco’s game plan and Seattle’s defensive preparation. Even a limited McCaffrey presence could alter playcalling, particularly in short-yardage and passing situations.
Given McCaffrey’s injury history — including substantial missed time across five prior seasons — the team’s conservative handling of a calf complaint is unsurprising. The 49ers have depth at running back, but backup workloads would increase significantly if he sat out.
- If he plays, expect the 49ers to monitor snaps and early-game usage to reduce re-injury risk.
- If he is inactive, San Francisco likely leans more on a committee approach and increased passing early.
“Good to go,”
Adam Schefter / ESPN (via X)
Unconfirmed
- Exact snap count or specific role plan for McCaffrey if active has not been disclosed by the team.
- Long-term implications of the calf complaint beyond the opener remain unclear and unreported.
- Percentages cited in some reports (e.g., “80% chance”) come from unnamed sources and should be treated as estimates.
Bottom line: Multiple respected insiders are reporting that Christian McCaffrey is expected to play in the 49ers’ Sept. 7 season opener in Seattle despite a late-week calf issue. Final confirmation will come when the 49ers release their inactive list shortly before the 1:05 p.m. PT kickoff; even if he suits up, his usage could be limited as a precaution.