The 49ers List Christian McCaffrey as Questionable for Monday Night

SANTA CLARA -- It looks like Christian McCaffrey has a good chance to play Monday night when the 49ers take on the Vikings in Minnesota.

The 49ers officially list McCaffrey as questionable with an oblique injury, but he practiced on Saturday and spoke at his locker room afterward. The second part is important. When an injured player speaks at his locker, he almost always plays in the upcoming game.

"I feel great," McCaffrey insisted. "I still feel great."

McCaffrey injured his oblique this past Sunday during the 49ers' loss to the Cleveland Browns. He tried to play through it, but the pain was too much and he spent most of the second half on the sideline. But the injury reportedly is a pain-tolerance issue, meaning he isn't at risk of making it worse by playing. So it seems extremely plausible that he'll play.

Especially considering Deebo Samuel will not play -- he has a hairline fracture in his shoulder and will miss at least the next two games. In addition, Trent Williams is listed as doubtful to play against the Vikings due to an ankle injury, which means he almost certainly will sit out -- players listed as doubtful almost never play. His backup, Jaylon Moore, is a potential liability. And Samuel's backup, Ray Ray McCloud, is more of a return man than a wide receiver.

So the 49ers need McCaffrey to play if he can stand the pain. Because without him, Samuel and Williams, the 49ers might just lose to the 2-4 Vikings.