McCaffrey Out for Weeks Due to Injury

The San Francisco 49ers' preparations for the upcoming NFL season have hit a snag with the announcement that star running back Christian McCaffrey will be sidelined for a "couple weeks" due to a calf injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the news, noting that while the 49ers' season does not commence for another five weeks, McCaffrey will not participate in the preseason. This decision aligns with a growing trend of star players opting out of preseason games to avoid injury. McCaffrey, who was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year last season after leading the league with a career-high 1,459 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns, has a history of injuries, having played only 10 games in the previous two seasons. His absence raises concerns among fans, especially as he graces the cover of Madden 25, reviving fears of the so-called "Madden Curse," which has historically plagued cover athletes with poor performances following their feature. In addition to McCaffrey's injury, the 49ers are also dealing with setbacks to their roster. Backup running back Elijah Mitchell has sustained a hamstring injury, and rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has aggravated a shoulder issue. Despite these challenges, the 49ers are set to kick off their season on September 9, facing the New York Jets in a highly anticipated "Monday Night Football" matchup.