49ers' Christian McCaffrey to Miss Weeks with Calf Injury

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey will miss a "couple weeks" because of a calf injury.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Tuesday that reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey will miss a "couple weeks" because of a calf injury.

McCaffrey played in 10 total games from 2020 to 2021 due to injuries. He missed 13 games in 2020 with a high ankle sprain and four games in 2021 with a hamstring injury.

49ers' Christian McCaffrey to Miss Weeks with Calf Injury

The 49ers' season doesn't start for another five weeks. So, that gives McCaffrey plenty of time to return. But Shanahan did note that McCaffrey will not participate in the preseason.

It has become increasingly rare to see star veterans get action in the preseason. So, who knows whether McCaffrey would have even seen a snap anyway. He's played in just two preseason games since 2019.

49ers' Christian McCaffrey to Miss Weeks with Calf Injury

It also should be noted that McCaffrey is on the cover of Madden 25, and fans are nervous that this is the rebirth of the so-called Madden Curse.

Earlier in the 21st century, cover athletes for the game often had tumultuous seasons immediately after. Dante Culpepper (2001), Donovan McNabb (2006), Shaun Alexander (2007) and Vince Young (2008) are some of the most notable examples.

49ers' Christian McCaffrey to Miss Weeks with Calf Injury

However, there hasn't been a "curse" since Rob Gronkowski graced the cover in 2016 and then posted the worst numbers of his career.

The Niners suffered a couple other blows. Backup running back Elijah Mitchell injured his hamstring, and rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall aggravated a shoulder injury.

McCaffrey ran for a league-leading and career-high 1,459 yards last season, and his 21 total touchdowns were both an NFL high and a career best.

San Fran opens its season Sept. 9 when it hosts the New York Jets on "Monday Night Football."

In addition to McCaffrey, the 49ers also lost backup running back Elijah Mitchell to a hamstring injury and rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall to a shoulder injury.

Mitchell is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, while Pearsall is day-to-day.

The injuries to McCaffrey and Mitchell leave the 49ers thin at running back. Jeff Wilson Jr. is expected to start in McCaffrey's absence, with rookie Jordan Mason and veteran Marlon Mack serving as his backups.

Pearsall's injury is also a blow to the 49ers' receiving corps. Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are expected to be the team's top three receivers, but Pearsall was expected to compete for playing time in the slot.

The 49ers are hoping to get healthy in time for the start of the regular season. They open their season on Sept. 9 against the New York Jets.