In a surprising development, there are doubts surrounding the participation of running back Christian McCaffrey in Sunday's upcoming game. According to reports from ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner, McCaffrey was noticeably absent during the open portion of Friday's practice. This absence has raised concerns among fans about his potential absence in the upcoming game against Minnesota.

McCaffrey's status has been a rollercoaster ride this week, as he has been dealing with both a calf injury and an Achilles injury. He was limited in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. This mirrors the situation from last week when he was also listed as limited in all three practices leading up to the Monday night game against the Jets.

Much to the frustration of fans and fantasy football managers, McCaffrey's official status remained hidden until just 90 minutes before kickoff on Monday night. It remains to be seen whether history will repeat itself this week. If listed as questionable once again, there will undoubtedly be speculation about whether he will even make the trip to Minnesota.

The 49ers have played a seemingly secretive game with McCaffrey's status in the past. Despite potentially downgrading him to doubtful during preparations, they have refrained from doing so, leaving fans and opponents in the dark until the last moment. It's an approach that has left many caught off guard, resulting in frustration and confusion.

As Sunday's game draws near, all eyes will be on whether McCaffrey's name appears once again in the questionable category. With so much uncertainty surrounding his health, fans and the team alike are bracing themselves for the possibility of him being deemed inactive for the game against the Vikings. This lingering question mark only adds to the anticipation and suspense ahead of kickoff.

Regardless of the outcome, the absence of McCaffrey on the field would undoubtedly be a blow to the 49ers. His dynamic presence and playmaking abilities have been a pivotal part of their offense. However, the team will need to prepare for all scenarios and continue to adapt as they navigate through this challenging situation.

For now, fans eagerly await further updates on McCaffrey's status, hoping for a positive turnaround that will allow him to take the field on Sunday.