Achilles tendinitis robbed San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey of the primary eight video games of the 2024 NFL season. A knee harm knocked the operating again out of Sunday night time’s Week 13 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, and now it’d maintain the Pro Bowler sidelined for the remainder of the yr.
Coach Kyle Shanahan introduced Monday that McCaffrey might be positioned on injured reserve with a PCL harm that may sideline him no less than six weeks. That timeline means the 49ers, who sit at 5-9 and in final place within the NFC West, must attain the playoffs to see McCaffrey probably again on the sphere once more.
Taking a second-quarter pitch from quarterback Brock Purdy, McCaffrey barely moved with the ball earlier than slowing to a limp towards the Bills, then sliding into the snow coating Highmark Stadium, avoiding contact and summoning quick medical consideration. He was explosive earlier within the recreation, gaining 53 yards on simply seven carries, however walked gingerly to the medical tent after the slide.
McCaffrey then walked underneath his personal energy to the locker room for extra analysis, leaving third-year backup Jordan Mason to take over the backfield.
It appeared McCaffrey suffered the harm on his earlier run for 18 yards wherein Bills security Taylor Rapp was capable of journey him up round his proper ankle. McCaffrey got here down onerous on his proper knee and departed for 2 performs.
Named Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 whereas eclipsing 2,000 scrimmage yards for the NFC champion 49ers, McCaffrey was solely enjoying in his fourth recreation of the 2024 marketing campaign Sunday night time. He additionally missed intensive time on account of harm in 2020-2021, whereas he nonetheless performed for the Carolina Panthers.
