RB Christian McCaffrey out for Vikings game as 49ers mull IR - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — When it comes to San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey's availability, no guesswork is needed this week.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan on Friday officially ruled McCaffrey out for Sunday's game at the Minnesota Vikings after McCaffrey didn't feel right with limited participation in Thursday's practice. Placing McCaffrey on injured reserve, which would mean missing at least four more games, is now a part of the conversation, according to Shanahan.

«It's something we're considering now,» Shanahan said. «Yesterday was his worst day. It's on and off, but with yesterday having the most pain. It's something we're going to be discussing together in the next 24 hours.»

McCaffrey, of course, has been dealing with a calf injury and Achilles tendinitis that made him a surprise pregame scratch before Monday night's opener against the New York Jets.

Like last week, McCaffrey was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but signs of his potential deactivation were clear when he was not on the field during the early portion of Friday's practice that was open to media.

If the Niners place McCaffrey on injured reserve before Sunday's game, he would be eligible to return for the Oct. 10 game against the Seattle Seahawks on «Thursday Night Football.» Shanahan added that as of now, McCaffrey does not require any sort of procedure to repair the injury.

McCaffrey spoke to reporters earlier this week and clarified why he was so adamant before the Jets game that he was going to play. McCaffrey explained that whenever he is dealing with an injury, he mentally tells himself he is going to be ready to go even if that ultimately doesn't turn out to be the case.

«My mindset every week is I'm going