It is a chaotic, not quite inspiring day at 49ers HQ in Santa Clara. Amidst all the Brandon Aiyuk trade rumblings, the most concrete news of the day has flown slightly under the radar. Christian McCaffrey is hurt. So is Elijah Mitchell. And Ricky Pearsall re-aggravated a shoulder injury.
That's what Kyle Shanahan revealed Tuesday, after most of the Aiyuk questions had come and gone. Here's what we know.
Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey strained his calf Sunday, but did not "pull it," Shanahan said. That said, he is unlikely to play in the preseason. He'll be out of practice for a couple weeks, putting him on track to be back in practice for the second half of August.
Elijah Mitchell
Mitchell strained his hamstring and will "miss probably a week or so." Shanahan said the 49ers want to "be safe with him." That's what led to the signing of former longtime 49er Matt Breida, who was traded to the Dolphins in 2021 for a fifth-round pick that became Colton McKivitz. With Isaac Guerendo still weeks out as he recovers from a pulled hamstring, it's Jordan Mason and Breida leading the backfield with Cody Schrader and Patrick Taylor in the mix, too.
Ricky Pearsall
Earlier in practice, Pearsall made the catch of the day on a deep crosser. He beat Deommodore Lenoir and George Odum, and Brock Purdy laid out a perfect ball for him. He caught it in stride and took it to the end zone, but not much of him was seen after. Shanahan confirmed he "tweaked his shoulder," an injury he re-injured from OTAs, when he was in a blue, non-contact jersey. The 49ers don't know the severity.
First preseason game
Don't expect to see much from the 49ers' starters this Saturday afternoon. The 49ers will head to Tennessee for their preseason opener, but most of their starters will be inactive. Shanahan said that, "We don't plan on many of the starters to play. Some guys will have to but for the most part, the starters shouldn't be in much."