In a press conference on Friday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that star running back Christian McCaffrey would not be playing in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. What's more, it seems that McCaffrey's absence may extend beyond just this weekend.

Coach Shanahan revealed that McCaffrey's calf and Achilles injuries have worsened, leading to discussions within the team about potentially placing him on injured reserve. Although nothing has been decided yet, if the team chooses to take this path, McCaffrey would be sidelined for at least four games.

This news comes after McCaffrey had already missed the first game of the regular season, with the team waiting until gameday to rule him out at that time. According to Shanahan, the running back experienced significant pain on Thursday, which likely influenced the decision to rule him out and consider the possibility of injured reserve.

In McCaffrey's absence, Jordan Mason is set to take on the starting running back role until the star player recovers and returns to action. Mason will have big shoes to fill, as McCaffrey has been a key contributor to the 49ers' offense.

Although McCaffrey's injuries are the primary concern, Shanahan also provided updates on other players. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is listed as doubtful for the upcoming game due to a knee injury, while linebacker Dee Winters is questionable with an ankle issue.

As the 49ers prepare for their matchup against the Vikings, they will undoubtedly miss the dynamic playmaking abilities of Christian McCaffrey. The team will have to rely on their depth and look for other players to step up in his absence. Fans will anxiously await updates on McCaffrey's condition and hope for a speedy recovery as the season progresses.