The 49ers will be without their star running back for the next few weeks, including the 2024 NFL preseason.
Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a calf strain and likely will miss San Francisco's trio of preseason games, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after practice Tuesday.
Shanahan added that McCaffrey will be out of practice for "a couple of weeks," though he doesn't view it as a long-term issue.
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The news comes just a few weeks after rookie running back Isaac Guerendo, whom the 49ers traded up to select No. 129 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, suffered a significant hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for several weeks.
Additionally, Shanahan said fourth-year running back Elijah Mitchell is dealing with a strained hamstring.
With the injury bug floating around San Francisco's running backs room, the 49ers added some depth to the position on Monday, reuniting with a familiar face by signing Matt Breida to a one-year contract. The undrafted free agent started his NFL career with the 49ers in 2017 and appeared in 43 games with San Francisco, registering 381 carries for 1,902 yards and six touchdowns over three seasons.
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With McCaffrey, Guerendo and Mitchell each sidelined, Jordan Mason, Cody Schrader and Patrick Taylor can be expected to share reps at camp.
San Francisco opens the preseason against the Titans in Tennessee on Saturday and then will host the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 18 at Levi's Stadium before its preseason finale against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
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