49ers injuries: Christian McCaffrey reportedly will play vs. Vikings, Deebo Samuel out at least 2 games

When the 49ers visit the Vikings to close Week 7 on “Monday Night Football,” they’ll do so without at least one of their top offensive starters. San Francisco ruled out wide receiver Deebo Samuel due to a shoulder injury Friday, but while running back Christian McCaffrey (oblique) is listed as questionable and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is doubtful, McCaffrey will reportedly play.

Per ESPN, McCaffrey will play on Monday night despite not practicing on Thursday or Friday. The star running back did return as a limited participant on Saturday, and said that he feels “great.” He has yet to miss a game due to injury since being acquired by San Francisco almost exactly a year ago.

As for Samuel, he apparently is not feeling great. The versatile weapon will also miss Week 8’s matchup with the Bengals, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters, so with the 49ers’ bye falling in Week 9, the soonest he’ll see the field again is Week 10 against the Jaguars on Oct. 12. The wideout went down early in San Francisco’s Week 6 loss to the Browns and did not return, and he’s since been diagnosed with a hairline fracture of his shoulder.

Williams, meanwhile, is set to be replaced at left tackle for just one game. The perennial Pro Bowler hasn’t played a full season in a decade, missing at least two games in each of his previous three years with the 49ers.

Starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw is also listed as questionable for Monday’s game with a hamstring injury.