49ers' McCaffrey has calf strain, won't play Week 18

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a "mild calf strain" that will sideline him in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic.

Shanahan added that the team is "real confident" McCaffrey will be available in the playoffs, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.

McCaffrey sustained the injury in Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders. Shanahan said postgame that the ailment didn't look serious and that they "think he'll be alright."

The 49ers clinched the No. 1 seed and a playoff bye in the NFC by beating the Commanders. The star tailback will now have an extra week to recover before playing a home divisional-round matchup.

"It could have been a lot worse," Shanahan said, according to Wagoner. "We're happy that they'll take care of him this week, and hopefully, he'll start getting to go during our off week."

McCaffrey has put on a show this season and leads the NFL in touches (339), scrimmage yards (2,023), and total touchdowns (21). The 27-year-old has also rushed for a league-high 1,459 yards (5.4 per carry) to go along with 14 TDs on the ground.

Injuries have afflicted McCaffrey throughout his career, as the 2017 top-10 pick played just 10 games in 2020 and 2021 combined as a member of the Carolina Panthers. The two-time Pro Bowler, however, hasn't missed a game since joining the 49ers as part of a blockbuster trade midway through the 2022 season.

The 49ers enter Week 18 with a 12-4 record. The Rams, who've also clinched a playoff berth, are 9-7.

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