Before Week 1 concluded, the San Francisco 49ers surprised the NFL world, particularly fantasy managers, with news of a calf strain to Christian McCaffrey. It was bothersome enough to sideline McCaffrey against the New York Jets. News broke of the injury about 90 minutes before kickoff in a game the Niners eventually won, 32-19.
Yahoo Sports has you covered with updates, news and notes from around the league as the season is now shifts to preparation for Week 2.
Let's start with the Niners' all-world running back.
What Kyle Shanahan said postgame about Christian McCaffrey
The 49ers will have a short week to prepare for Sunday's game at the Minnesota Vikings. Is that enough time for McCaffrey to be ready to go or will Jordan Mason carry the rock again?
Head coach Kyle Shanahan wasn't definitive of McCaffrey's status for Week 2, but he did respond to an ESPN report that said there's a "real chance" that the running back wouldn't play next weekend.
"It's amazing. That person must be God," Shanahan said after the 49ers' victory against the Jets. "We just found out he wasn't playing today. I have no idea how he's going to feel tomorrow, or the next day. I thought he was playing this whole week until today. So I don't know who knows that he's not playing next week."
Of McCaffrey's leg injury, Shanahan also said: "It’s been lingering the last few weeks. But it’s getting better and better and hopefully it’ll be better next week.”
On Tuesday, Shanahan said that McCaffrey would have played versus the Jets had it been a playoff game. McCaffrey is currently listed as day-to-day. McCaffrey was limited in practice on Wednesday, too.
Justin Fields or Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh for Week 2?
After a calf injury to Russell Wilson late in training camp put Justin Fields in the starting lineup for Week 1, the Steelers head into Week 2 with a question at quarterback after an 18-10 win at Atlanta in which Fields threw for 156 yards.
On Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin said the team is preparing Fields to be under center again and that Wilson will not practice fully on Wednesday. He added Wilson "feels better today than over the weekend."
Report: Browns' Njoku expected to miss 'at least' couple of weeks
Browns tight end David Njoku is considered "week-to-week," according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Njoku suffered an ankle injury during Cleveland's blowout loss to Dallas. Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reported Tuesday that "he's expected to miss at least a couple of games."
Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur didn't rule Love out of their game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Love, however, still has to be cleared by the team's medical staff, but he doesn't need to practice in order to play. If he can't go, Malik Willis will take the field in his place.
Matt LaFleur left the door open Monday for Jordan Love to play Sunday.
How about today?
“I’d say it’s pretty open … but at the same time, he’s gotta be cleared.”
Reiterates Love has to be able to protect himself. Said Love doesn’t need to practice in order to play.
After missing their season opener as a late surprise scratch, Christian McCaffrey is practicing with the 49ers on Wednesday. McCaffrey will be limited in practice, however, and his status for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings is still up in the air.
Despite not having McCaffrey available, the 49ers had no issue getting past the New York Jets on Monday night. They cruised to a 32-19 win, and backup running back Jordan Mason racked up 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.
Kyle Shanahan says RB Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) will be limited in practice today.
Says he never considered McCaffrey as an IR candidate.
“My mentality is I’m playing this week” — 49ers Christian McCaffrey on Sunday game at Vikings. Calf/Achilles kept him out of opener pic.twitter.com/Hagdpzm5cg
Dolphins updates: Raheem Mostert out vs. Bills, De'Von Achane could play
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel gave an update on two of the team's injured superstars on Wednesday.
Running back Raheem Mostert is out vs. the Bills on Thursday after sustaining an unspecified chest injury during the Dolphins 20-17 win over the Jaguars.
RB De'Von Achane injured his ankle against the Jags and McDaniel doesn't yet know if he'll be able to play.
If the Dolphins decide to keep both Mostert and Achane out for Thursday's game, Jeff Wilson and rookie Jaylen Wright are the next up in the backfield.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (chest) is OUT Thursday vs. Bills.
RB De’Von Achane (ankle) is more a “we’ll see” could be a game-time decision, per HC Mike McDaniel.
Allen injured his left hand on Sunday against the Cardinals. He wore a glove on the hand during Tuesday's practice ahead of Buffalo's game Thursday night against the Dolphins.
Bills are practicing on a gorgeous day in Orchard Park. Josh Allen wearing a glove on his left hand. pic.twitter.com/97fNrT6gz3
Knee injury knocks out Colts CB JuJu Bents for season
Sources: #Colts promising young CB JuJu Brents is headed for Injured Reserve with a season-ending knee injury. The former second-round pick has impressed when on the field.
Brown suffered a knee injury during Sunday's loss to the Saints. He will not return this season.
"Definitely a huge loss, right? He's one of our best players. That's big shoes to fill," said Panthers head coach Dave Canales on Tuesday. "But at the same time, we've got players in there, I want them to know and be encouraged. If you go in, you play with great technique, and you just do your job, we don't need you to make the special plays that Derrick makes.
"Just do your job, help the guys on either side of you and that's the truth of it. If you can play team football with a bunch of guys, you can have success."
Brown, a 2023 Pro Bowler, set an NFL record for tackles by a defensive lineman in a season with 103 last year.
Sean Leahy
Steelers getting Justin Fields ready to start at QB in Week 2 vs. Denver
Mike Tomlin is preparing Justin Fields to start vs. Denver
Russell Wilson "feels better today than over the weekend."
Tomlin says they'll start with his participation, level of participation, quality of participation and then analyze if he can protect himself and be…
Jackson missed Monday but Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expects him back on the field for Wednesday's practice.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Kyle Shanahan elaborates on Christian McCaffrey's calf injury
Kyle Shanahan on if he’s concerned about Christian McCaffrey’s injury could linger over the next several weeks:
“Always. It’s been lingering for the last few weeks, but it’s getting better and better and hopefully he’ll be better next week.” pic.twitter.com/KPXVEoxwAy
RB Christian McCaffrey is surprise INACTIVE for #49ers tonight against NY Jets with calf & Achilles issues. He said late in the week he had no doubt he would be able to play in this game.
Jordan Mason gets the start. Patrick Taylor Jr. and Isaac Guerendo are the backups.
McVay clarifies, Nacua will go to IR. He will miss four games minimum. Nacua aggravated his previous injury in a “more significant” manner. https://t.co/aCYdqkj8Lb
Puka Nacua update: Rams WR is reportedly week-to-week with knee injury
Rams WR Puka Nacua aggravated his summer knee injury Sunday night vs. the Lions and, while he still is going through additional testing, he is expected to be considered week to week, per sources. pic.twitter.com/Ri6OsgbhCy
Josh Allen cleared for Thursday's game vs. Dolphins
Josh Allen is apparently good to go. Allen was cleared to practice on Monday and should be able to compete in Thursday night's game against the Dolphins after he injured his hand in their win over the Cardinals.
Bills coach Sean McDermott said that quarterback Josh Allen has been cleared to practice today and to play in the game vs. the Dolphins on Thursday.
Allen landed awkwardly on his non-throwing hand while scoring a rushing touchdown in the second half of Sunday's win, though he remained in the game the rest of the way. Allen went 18-of-23 for 232 yards with two touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in the win.
York, who missed two field goals on Sunday, was traded to Washington from Cleveland for a 2025 conditional seventh-round draft pick.
Sean Leahy
Vikings WR Jordan Addison dealing with "pretty significant" ankle soreness
Jordan Addison has "pretty significant soreness" in his injured ankle, per Kevin O'Connell. Vikings will be "smart" with Addison, he said, but also know he healed quickly from his previous ankle injury during training camp.
Addison left Minnesota's 28-6 win over the Giants in the third quarter.
Sean Leahy
Raiders DE Tyree Wilson out with knee sprain
#Raiders pass-rusher Tyree Wilson, who was ruled out Sunday with an injury, suffered a knee sprain, sources say. The injury is not believed to be long-term, as the knee is structurally sound. pic.twitter.com/i65i3F1x82
Stefanski did not give a definitive timeline for how long the tight end would be out. The Browns face the Jaguars in Week 2.
Sean Leahy
More details regarding Tyreek Hill being detained outside Hard Rock Stadium
Per sources, Tyreek Hill received two citations as a result of his traffic stop Sunday: Careless driving and a seatbelt violation. Calais Campbell, who said after the game police told him they briefly placed him in handcuffs for "disobeying a direct order," did not end up…
Per sources, Tyreek Hill received two citations as a result of his traffic stop Sunday: Careless driving and a seatbelt violation. Calais Campbell, who said after the game police told him they briefly placed him in handcuffs for "disobeying a direct order," did not end up receiving a citation. The Miami-Dade Police Department told me this morning that it remains an internal investigation so they cannot yet provide the details into what led to the citation for careless driving or why Hill was detained face-down on the ground in handcuffs. One of the officers on the scene remains on administrative duty.
Hill told reporters after Sunday's game that he had "no idea" why he was detained. "Wasn't disrespectful because my mom didn't raise me that way. Didn't cuss," he said. "Still trying to figure it out."
Sean Leahy
Steelers need a new punter/holder with Cameron Johnston done for the year
#Steelers punter Cameron Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s win over the #Falcons, sources say. A blow to Pittsburgh special teams in more ways than one, as Johnston was also the holder for Chris Boswell. pic.twitter.com/0Xia01VAGQ
Ferguson hurt his knee after he tried to hurdle a Browns player during the Cowboys' 33-17 win on Sunday. The tight end had three catches for 15 yards before exiting the game.
ESPN's Todd Archer reports that Ferguson could be available for Week 2 against the Saints.
Jake Ferguson could still play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints after being diagnosed with a bone bruise and a minor sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee suffered yesterday vs. the Browns, according to a source.
Giants, Daniel Jones hear boos on and off the field.
It was a forgettable opening day at MetLife Stadium for the Giants during their 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The boos were loud and some players, like defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, didn't appreciate it.
"I don't respect it, honestly," Lawrence said. "I get it, they want to see their team win. It's just a rough patch. It is what it is."
Some fans even took to booing Daniel Jones as he exited the stadium following his performance that saw him go 22-for-42 with 186 yards and two interceptions.
Jets hold-out edge rusher Haason Reddick will forfeit a game of check of nearly $800,000 for missing tonight’s regular-season opener vs. the 49ers, and an additional nearly $800,000 for each game he subsequently misses. This is on top of more than $5 million in NFL-mandated fines… pic.twitter.com/UXAWW7nfeX
"I'll stand firm that when he gets here, we're going to welcome him with open arms," said Jets head coach Robert Saleh on Saturday. "We're going to love him up, and he's going to be a part of this football team and he's going to help us win a lot of football games. He's got to sort through the financial stuff, which is none of my business."
Ryan Young
Required reading from Sunday's action
The opening week of the 2024 NFL season is almost over. Catch up on all of the action from Sunday's slate of games here ahead of tonight's "Monday Night Football" matchup in the Bay.
Fantasy football analyst Pranav Rajaram dissects the latest shifts in the running back landscape ahead of Week 6, including the recent takeover of Tank Bigsby in Jacksonville.
Jason Fitz is joined by Jori Epstein and Frank Schwab to deep dive on the latest news and storylines from around the NFL, including the Anthony Richardson benching and trade deadline moves that either have already happened or could happen over the next week.
Rodgers and his two star wideouts finally clicked in the second half of Thursday's win. But do the Jets have enough time to dig out of a hole this season?
Throwing three times from your own 3-yard line, with 30 seconds left in a tie game? Against a team with a great kicker? McDermott took the blame afterward ... which he should because this was malpractice.
Rodgers didn't mince words, calling it a "giveaway" and saving some scorn for the officiating too. Six days after firing their coach, the Jets don't have much wiggle room anymore. That doesn't mean Monday was without hope.
6x Pro Bowl DT Gerald McCoy and 2x Super Bowl winner Kyle Van Noy recap their favorite moments from week 3 in the NFL, give their perspective on Antonio Pierce calling out his Raiders players and make their week 4 picks.
Neither quarterback was particularly effective passing in Sunday's Super Bowl rematch. So Mahomes leaned on another part of his game — and his defense — to help get the job done.