Christian McCaffrey’s status for this weekend is clear and not favorable. His tatus for the rest of the year is unclear but it seems that could change for the worse. The San Francisco 49ers have ruled the star running back out for their game against the Minnesota Vikings.

According to reports and to the team, his health is much worse than assumed at the end of the preseason, as he will miss his second game of the regular season after not suiting up for the opener against the New York Jets on Monday.

The running back has been battling a calf injury and discomfort in his Achilles tendon. After much speculation on his immediate future for Week 2, it is known that will not play but now the team is considering putting him on the Injured Reserve list.

The meaning of being on IR

This situation has become a major concern for the team and now San Francisco is strongly considering sending Christian McCaffrey IR, which would lead to him missing four games. Considering the situation, this could be in the best interest of the team as general manager John Lynch and now the head coach backs that up.

“Yesterday was his worst day. It comes and goes, but he had more pain. It’s something we’ll consider over the next 24 hours,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. News of him landing on IR should come soon, if indeed it happens.

If he is placed on IR, McCaffrey could return until Week 6, when San Francisco travels to Seattle to face the Seahawks on Thursday night. He would miss the games against the Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, as well as at home against the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals.