December 2nd 2024.
Coach Kyle Shanahan shared on Monday that star running back Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers will not require surgery for his injured right knee. However, he will unfortunately be out for the remainder of the regular season.
This news comes after McCaffrey suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury during Sunday night's game against the Buffalo Bills. He will now be placed on injured reserve for the second time this season, as he previously missed the first eight games due to Achilles tendinitis.
Shanahan expressed his sympathy for McCaffrey, stating that it has been a frustrating year for him. Despite working hard to return to the field, McCaffrey was met with another unfortunate injury. However, Shanahan has no doubt that McCaffrey will come back even stronger next season to help the team.
As for the 49ers, they currently sit in last place in the NFC West standings and are two wins behind the division-leading Seattle Seahawks. This puts them in danger of missing the playoffs, especially after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in last year's Super Bowl.
The 49ers also suffered another blow during the game against the Bills, as McCaffrey's backup, Jordan Mason, also sustained an injury and will be placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.
It has been a tough season for McCaffrey, who was named the 2023 AP Offensive Player of the Year and signed a lucrative contract extension during the offseason. He suffered an Achilles injury during training camp and struggled to regain his form upon his return, rushing for only 149 yards in his first three games back.
However, McCaffrey showed improvement in Sunday night's game before getting injured again. He had seven carries for 53 yards, including a 19-yard run, which was his longest of the season. Unfortunately, he hurt his knee during an 18-yard run in the second quarter and then went down on his next carry.
With Mason also out, the 49ers will now turn to rookie Isaac Guerendo and promote Patrick Taylor from the practice squad. Shanahan also mentioned that they will be looking to add another running back to their roster.
In other injury news from the game, defensive lineman Kevin Givens tore his pectoral muscle and will be out for the rest of the season. Shanahan also provided updates on other players, stating that cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is expected to return to practice on Wednesday, while Nick Bosa and Trent Williams will be evaluated throughout the week.
Bosa and Williams have both been absent for the last two games. Williams has also been dealing with a family tragedy, as his wife announced on Instagram that she gave birth to stillborn twins, with one of the babies passing away earlier in the pregnancy. Shanahan shared that Williams has spent time with his family and is trying to return to the field.
The 49ers also have a few players in the concussion protocol, including OL Aaron Banks and DT Jordan Elliott. Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles is day to day, while linebacker Dre Greenlaw will be getting more work this week after returning to practice for the first time since tearing his Achilles in last year's Super Bowl. Safety Talanoa Hufanga will also have his injured reserve practice window opened this week.
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