Christian McCaffrey insists there’s ‘ZERO’ chance he will miss 49ers showdown with Philadelphia

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey insists there is ‘zero’ chance of him missing this weekend’s NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles despite missing practice on Thursday.

McCaffrey picked up a calf injury in the 49ers’ 19-12 divisional round win over Dallas Cowboys last Saturday, before playing down the extent of his problem after the game.

Yet three days out from their crucial showdown with Philadelphia, the 26-year-old sat out practice for San Francisco while on the injury list with fellow running back Elijah Mitchell (groin) and Deebo Samuel (ankle).

McCaffrey and Mitchell missed their second consecutive practice on Thursday, while Samuel was a limited participant for the second day running. 

Christian McCaffrey insists there is ‘zero’ chance he won’t play against the Eagles on Sunday

The San Francisco 49ers running back picked up a calf injury in last weekend’s win over Dallas

Charles Omenihu has also been struggling with an oblique injury over the past few days, though the defensive lineman will be available if fit despite his arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence earlier in the week.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that he expects McCaffrey and other injured Niners to play against the Eagles, albeit without making any guarantees, and his running back has full confidence he will take part.

When asked if there’s any chance he won’t play in the NFL conference championship game, McCaffrey simply replied: ‘Zero.’

He plans to go through the same routine as normal this week despite the knock, which includes walk-throughs.

‘It’s the same process, just lowering a little bit of the physical load,’ McCaffrey said. 

Despite missing practice on Thursday, McCaffrey is adamant he will play the NFC title game

Both McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell (pictured) missed a second consecutive practice

The Stanford graduate finished Saturday’s win over Dallas with 35 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown, as well as six catches for 22 yards.

If fit, he could prove highly influential against an Eagles defense which has allowed 4.6 yards per carry. 

Running the ball successfully at Lincoln Financial Field may allow Shanahan’s play-calling to slow down Philadelphia’s pass rush with play-action passes, and McCaffrey is well aware that executing the play call will be crucial.

‘They fly to the ball well. They have a good pass rush,’ he said. ‘For us, it’s about executing the play call, though.

‘Kyle knows all that stuff, and he knows exactly where he wants to go with the ball. It’s just up to us to be able to do it at full speed and play beyond the X’s and O’s.’