After missing the first eight games of the season, star running back Christian McCaffrey was only able to start in four contests. Early in Sunday night’s snowy game in Buffalo against the Bills, he crumbled to the turf untouched in the San Francisco backfield. He was removed from the game and wouldn’t return, and it is becoming increasingly likely that we’ve seen the last of McCaffrey for 2024.
49ers Will Have To Dig Deep To Replace Their Top RBs
It was announced by head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday that the 28-year-old running back had suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury, and will be placed on the IR. The designation puts McCaffrey out for at least four games, with the coach calling it “about six weeks”. With only five games remaining on the schedule, the 49ers would have no reason to rush him back in a season that is quickly slipping away from them.
But in order to replace him, San Francisco will have to dig deep into their roster. During Shanahan’s media availability, he reported that backup running back Jordan Mason had also suffered a lower-leg injury. After filling in nicely during the first half of the year, it appears that Mason’s season may be over as he, too, will hit the IR.
Kyle Shanahan said that Christian McCaffrey did injure his PCL and it is a 6-week recovery. His season now looks like it’s over.
49ers RB Jordan Mason suffered an ankle injury and also is being placed on injured reserve.
Two lost RBs. pic.twitter.com/tqxjJdKKrN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
That leaves the 49ers with just a couple of backfield options. The starting spot will now belong to Isaac Guerendo, the rookie running back who has 47 touches so far this season in 109 offensive snaps. His best game so far this season came against the Seahawks in Week 6, when he pulled off a 76-yard scamper on his way to a 99 yard rushing day. He has two touchdowns on the year.
The backup figures to be Patrick Taylor. The fourth-year back has just 87 career touches, mostly as a member of the Packers. Just 12 of those touches have come this season, as Taylor has only seen action in two games thus far.
It may be as good a time as ever for the 49ers to evaluate the talent on their roster. They have suffered a serious Super Bowl hangover that has included injuries as well as underperformance, and find themselves with just an 8% chance of making the playoffs. They have been missing key pieces from both their offensive and defensive units in recent weeks, and have suffered 3 straight losses.
