Veteran defensive back Dontae Johnson will return to the game on Sunday when the 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, the 49ers won’t need to make a decision on newly acquired running back Christian McCaffrey until 90 minutes before kickoff at Levi’s Stadium at 1:25 p.m.
The 49ers traded McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers for four picks Thursday night, and McCaffrey has a spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster.
General manager John Lynch described McCaffrey as a “tremendous task” of knowing enough of the 49ers’ game plan two days after he arrived in the Bay Area to be able to proceed. Contest.
McCaffrey played in the Panthers’ first six games of the season. He practiced with Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday before flying to the Gulf on Friday’s 8 a.m. flight.
His body is ready to play. But does he have enough information about the team’s offense against the Chiefs? That’s the problem.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said there are a number of factors that will influence the team’s decision to make McCaffrey one of the team’s 48 active players, including how it will affect special teams.
Plus, if the running back gets injured, can McCaffrey play a big role without getting in the way of the rest of the offense? Jeff Wilson Jr. is at center back in his fifth start of the season.
“Those are the things we have to really think about,” Shanahan said.
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The 49ers made only one move that would have an impact on Sunday’s game. Johnson was promoted from the practice squad for the second straight game.
Starting cornerback Chavarius Ward was listed as problematic against his old club due to a groin injury.
Johnson, a nine-year NFL veteran, had time on both the defensive end and special teams in the 49ers’ 28-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.
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