49ers running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury in Sunday’s 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, coach Kyle Shanahan said, putting the San Francisco star’s season in question with five games to play.
McCaffrey left the game early in the second quarter. Taking a carry on a first down play, McCaffrey took a few slow steps before sliding to a stop for a 5-yard loss. he left the field under his own power and went to the medical tent, then attempted to jog along the 49ers sideline before heading to the locker room.
Sunday was just McCaffrey’s fourth game of the 2024 season. He returned in early November after missing most of training camp and the 49ers’ first eight games because of tendonitis in both Achilles.
He had seven carries for 53 yards and two catches for 14 yards before exiting Sunday’s game. For the season, McCaffrey has 202 rushing yards and no touchdowns.
“Hurt for him and tough for our team not having him,” Shanahan said.
Jordan Mason, who took over for McCaffrey at running back following his injury, was evaluated for a concussion in the third quarter and cleared to return. Mason led the 49ers with 78 rushing yards on 13 carries, while rookie Isaac Guerendo rushed for the team’s lone touchdown.
With the loss, the 49ers (5-7) fell two games behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West and have just a 10 percent chance of making the postseason, per The Athletic’s projections. They host the Chicago Bears next Sunday.
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(Photo: Mark Konezny / Imagn Images)
