Could This Super Bowl Contender Be Shorthanded Against Patriots?

The Patriots do not travel to the San Francisco 49ers until Week 4, but it's fair to think New England might monitor the injury status of Christian McCaffrey.

The 49ers star running back dealt with a calf/Achilles ailment during training camp, and it ultimately caused McCaffrey to miss San Francisco's season-opening win against the New York Jets on Monday night.

Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan called McCaffrey a game-time decision Monday night after he was deemed questionable on the injury report. That might indicate a sooner-than-later return. However, Shanahan also confirmed there was a concern McCaffrey's calf injury could linger.

"It's been lingering the last few weeks, but it's been getting better and better and hopefully it'll be better next week," Shanahan told reporters, per a team-provided video.

Shanahan said McCaffrey hasn't had any setbacks, but hinted the team would take it day-by-day. These early-season games surely are not the main focus for the Niners, who entered the season tied for the shortest betting odds to win the Super Bowl.

"He was able to practice throughout the week. just always bothering him to a degree," Shanahan said. "Sometimes it goes away, sometimes it comes back. (Monday it) was bothering him a little too much to where we didn't feel good about it."

While the Patriots first have the Seattle Seahawks (Week 2) and New York Jets (Week 3) to worry about before the 49ers, there's no question the potential absence of McCaffrey could serve as a big break. He's undoubtedly one of the best offensive weapons in the league, and a running back Jerod Mayo's team will have to gameplan for.

New England benefited from the Cincinnati Bengals being without wide receiver Tee Higgins in its Week 1 victory.