In a setback for the San Francisco 49ers, star running back Christian McCaffrey may be out for a longer period than initially anticipated. Placed on injured reserve on Friday, McCaffrey was ruled inactive for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to miss three additional games afterward.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the talented running back is likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks due to a frustrating case of Achilles tendinitis. This injury has been described as both painful and difficult to overcome. While there is no increased risk of tearing the Achilles tendon, McCaffrey's road to recovery is expected to be a lengthy one.

Rapoport explains that McCaffrey's absence presents an opportunity for Jordan Mason, an undrafted free agent who impressed in the previous week's outing, to take on the role of the starting running back going forward. Mason, who was the preseason MVP for the 49ers, is now expected to shoulder a significant workload in McCaffrey's absence.

If the projected timeline holds true, McCaffrey could potentially make his return on Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. However, this means that he would miss two crucial matchups on the 49ers' schedule: the highly anticipated Super Bowl LVIII rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7, and a pivotal game against the Cowboys.

The news of McCaffrey's extended absence undoubtedly comes as a blow to the 49ers. The dynamic running back, who was the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, plays a vital role in the team's offense. His absence will require the 49ers to rely heavily on the talents of Jordan Mason to carry the rushing workload until McCaffrey's return.

As the 49ers navigate these next few weeks without their star running back, the team will be hoping for a swift and successful recovery for McCaffrey. Keeping their sights set on securing victories and maintaining their strong start to the season, the 49ers will be eager to have McCaffrey back on the field as soon as possible.