During a Friday conference call, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided updates on two key players. Shanahan confirmed that running back Christian McCaffrey will not play in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"He's continuing to improve but we're not opening it (his practice window) up this week," Shanahan told reporters.
McCaffrey remains on injured reserve, working through calf and Achilles tendinitis issues. While he hasn't suited up this season, the 49ers are optimistic that he could return to practice soon.
"He's just started feeling like himself again last week, so they started to ramp him up over the last few days," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported ahead of Thursday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks. "The good news is that there's been no flare-up, there's been no setbacks. He feels good, so the Niners are optimistic about where he is.
"But this is a scary deal for him. He's determined to play this year. I'd say the next two or three weeks are critical."
The good news is that rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is set to return to the practice field next week. Once his practice window opens, the team will have 21 days to activate him off the non-football injury (NFI) list.
"Ricky, we do plan on opening up this week," Shanahan shared. "... I believe [he'll practice] Monday."
Shanahan indicated a more cautious approach when asked if Pearsall might be ready to play against the Chiefs.
"Most likely, I would think it would be a longer ramp-up period," Shanahan explained. "But, I mean, health-wise and everything, he's totally good to go, but I really won't decide that stuff until we start watching him practice. But we're not going to rush it or anything. If he's ready, he's ready. And if he's not, we've got a few weeks."