SANTA CLARA — Opening the season with a double-digit rout didn’t ease the minds of 49ers’ fans, who’ve relayed their concerns via social media for this week’s mailbag:
How worried about CMC should we be? (@JM41484)
On a scale of 1 to 10, the first instinct is to rate it a TEN!!!! He is the reigning NFL rushing champion and AP Offensive Player of the Year. It sounded dire as he became a game-time scratch Monday, followed by coach Kyle Shanahan adding “Achilles tendinitis” to McCaffrey’s injury chart a month after a calf strain. Remember last season, linebacker Dre Greenlaw had Achilles tendinitis late in the season before he ruptured his other Achilles in the Super Bowl.
All that said, let’s dial the concern level to an “8.” He has not vanished from practice. NFC games are more important than an opener against a historically woeful AFC team. A Week 3 divisional matchup against the Rams is even bigger than Sunday’s trip to Minnesota. The playoffs and Super Bowl are the biggest of all.
If/when CMC is back to 100% will Kyle finally split carries with Mason based on his performance Week 1. (@JoshySpeez)
Two measuring sticks exist in terms of McCaffrey’s calf issues. After an initial injury in the January 2023 playoff win over Dallas, McCaffrey responded with 15 carries in the contorted NFC Championship loss at Philadelphia. After leaving last season’s Dec. 31 win at Washington, McCaffrey had 17 carries in the playoff-opening win over Green Bay while no other running backs got a carry.
“It doesn’t have anything to do with last season. It’s just something I’m dealing with that I’ll get right,” McCaffrey said Wednesday. His mentality may be that he’s playing; the reality is it will be a group decision like last Monday’s.
McCaffrey was a ball hog last season en route to his first NFL rushing title, totaling 331 carries through the playoffs; the second-most used rusher in each game totaled 106 carries. McCaffrey shared the load more in 2022 upon his midseason arrival, racking up 189 carries while each game’s next-most used rusher totaled 117 carries.
Does the success of Jordan Mason show that Christian McCaffrey is just a system running back? (@DamionTachikoma)
This is either dark humor toward those in the Brock-Purdy-Is-A-System-Quarterback Fan Club, or it’s a legitimate question.
Steve Young answered it on KNBR 680-AM: “To have an offense where you can plug and play like that … What is the value of being here and being able to have a system that gets the most out of you, the full measure of you as a player? You can find it out here. That’s what I loved about Monday. Christian can’t play and now we see the full measure of Mason. He jumps in and just dominates. He can go score 14, 15 touchdowns this season if he gets a shot.”
That said, McCaffrey’s multi-dimensional skills are unmatched in the NFL and a perfect fit for Shanahan’s offense. Mason had 83 carries and just three receptions through two seasons, but he showed improved vision and burst with familiar power Monday night.
Might Sunday’s game against the Vikings be a trap game? (@MrEd315)
It has all the key ingredients: 1.) Short week, after a Monday night opener; 2.) 10 a.m. PT kickoff; 3.) Preceds first division game the following Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams; 4.) The potential letdown after a high-emotion Week 1 and hectic offseason.
Can we beat Minnesota? We lost the last time we played there. (@zorochardson)
The 49ers actually have lost their last seven visits and have not win there since 1992. That includes losses in 2018 (20-14) and last season (22-17) since U.S. Bank Stadium replaced the Metrodome. That does not include a 2022 preseason win in which Mexican offensive tackle Alfredo Gutierrez received the game ball amid a locker room celebration. Prediction: Charvarius Ward receives a game ball after Sunday’s 23-17 win.
Do you think Purdy or CMC would win in a debate? (@bradleyjbayer)
A lot of politically correct language and respect would make for a snoozer. Trent Williams, George Kittle and Charvarius Ward might be the 49ers’ greatest orators. Nick Bosa, last season’s Garry Niver Award winner for his media dealings, would simplify any debate with his simple explanations and cunning ability to shrug off criticism.
Why hasn’t Kyle gotten with the league over Bosa being held more than anyone? (@waynekimble21)
Each week since Bosa’s 2019 arrival, the 49ers have forwarded clips of opponents holding Bosa. The NFL is not going to correct calls after the effect. Bosa understands this and does not openly whine about the no-calls. He lets the 49ers Faithful do it for him, weekly.
When will Talanoa Hufanga play? (@theresabaylee)
He has “a chance” this Sunday, but considering he remains limited and was still on scout team last week, the guess here is that the 49ers keep ramping up his activity until the big reveal, either Sept. 22 at the Rams or Sept. 29 against the Patriots. He could have started the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list and thus get ruled out the first four games, but by making the initial 53-man, that signaled he will play sometime in September.
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How many turnovers will SF force against (Sam) Darnold? (@MarvinG06038738)
The 49ers aim for three takeaways per game. In 68 career games, Darnold has 71 turnovers (57 interceptions, 14 fumbles lost). He completed his first 12 passes in the Vikings’ opening win Sunday at the New York Giants, with two touchdowns and an interception that matched his 2023 total as the 49ers’ backup to Brock Purdy.
It’s worth me getting up for a 7 a.m. start next Sunday morning since I’ll be on my lanai in Maui? (@michael_budd)
Nothing finer than Hawaiian sunrise with some pigskin. Hang loose, but carry the ball tight.
There is a grim determination to this team. They can and will be joyful in victory, but they have focus. The kind of focus you only get after severe disappointment. (@ChefPaulPresent)
Grim isn’t the right word. It’s grit and determination. The 49ers have shown that, so far. Long way to go.