49ers’ McCaffrey out with calf strain, won’t play in preseason

SANTA CLARA — Christian McCaffrey won’t play this preseason, which comes as no surprise given he never took a snap a year ago in three exhibition games.

This time, however, instead of protecting a healthy McCaffrey, the defending 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year will be out because of injury.

“Christian has a calf strain, did it a couple of days ago,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. “It’s all right, it isn’t pulled or anything, but you probably won’t see him this preseason.”