San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was a last-minute scratch for the season opener against the New York Jets due to calf and Achilles injuries. Despite being listed as questionable and expressing confidence in playing, McCaffrey was ruled out, leading to a significant shift in the 49ers' offensive strategy. The team will rely on backups Jordan Mason, Patrick Taylor Jr., and rookie Isaac Guerendo to fill the void. McCaffrey's absence is a considerable loss, given his stellar performance in the previous season, where he led the league with 1,459 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns. The 49ers' inactive list also includes notable players like safety Talanoa Hufanga and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos. The absence of McCaffrey also impacts fantasy football players who had high expectations for him.