McCaffrey (knee) said Monday he's "definitely close" to 100 percent healthy and could have played had the 49ers qualified for the playoffs, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. McCaffrey will turn his full attention toward making a recovery for OTAs, with San Francisco having failed to attain a playoff berth. The star running back missed the final five games of the regular season due to a PCL injury in his right knee, after having had his 2024 debut delayed until Week 10 due to a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis. Ensuring McCaffrey is able to enter the 2025 campaign at full health will be among the 49ers' top offseason priorities, in addition to a potential contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow).
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Status
IR - Knee - PCL - Sprain Expected Return: 2025-02-10Latest Christian McCaffrey news
Other 49ers Players
Team
San Francisco 49ers
Birthdate
6/7/1996 (28)
Status
Injured Reserve
HT/WT
5'11", 210 lbs
Draft Info
2017: Rd 1; Pk (CAR)
Birthplace
Castle Rock, CO, USA
Position
RB
College
Stanford
Experience
8 seasons
Career History
San Francisco 49ers
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Carolina Panthers
2017-2022
(6 seasons)
McCaffrey (knee) said Monday he's "definitely close" to 100 percent healthy and could have played had the 49ers qualified for the playoffs, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. McCaffrey will turn his full attention toward making a recovery for OTAs, with San Francisco having failed to attain a playoff berth. The star running back missed the final five games of the regular season due to a PCL injury in his right knee, after having had his 2024 debut delayed until Week 10 due to a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis. Ensuring McCaffrey is able to enter the 2025 campaign at full health will be among the 49ers' top offseason priorities, in addition to a potential contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow).
The 49ers placed McCaffrey (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday. Just as head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Monday would be the case, McCaffrey was moved off the 53-man roster after the running back suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee during Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills. Shanahan said that McCaffrey will likely need around six weeks to recover from the injury, so he'll miss the rest of the regular season and may return to action only if the 5-7 49ers make a surprise playoff run. McCaffrey should be back to full strength for the offseason program and will be entering the final guaranteed year of his contract in 2025. After spending the first nine weeks of the season on IR while recovering from a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey appeared in just four games in 2024, failing to score a touchdown while carrying 50 times for 202 yards and recording 15 receptions for 146 yards on 19 targets.
The 49ers plan to place McCaffrey (knee) on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday that McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury in his knee, and he will be sidelined at least six weeks, Rapoport added. McCaffrey was injured in the first half of Sunday night's eventual loss to the Bills, and he's now going to miss the rest of the regular season. In addition, McCaffrey's backup, Jordan Mason, suffered a high-ankle sprain against Buffalo and also is heading to IR, knocking him out until at least Week 18. The development vaults Isaac Guerendo into the 49ers' RB1 spot atop the depth chart, making him a priority add in all fantasy leagues. Patrick Taylor currently is on the team's practice squad but likely will be promoted this week.
McCaffrey (knee) suffered a PCL injury in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills that may be season-ending, coach Kyle Shanahan revealed after the game, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Making only his fourth appearance after missing eight games due to Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey was injured in the first half against the Bills and may not return again this season. The star running back will likely undergo further testing on the injury to confirm the initial diagnosis, but it appears Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo may be relied upon to lead San Francisco's backfield the rest of the way as the 49ers try to climb back into the playoff picture after falling to 5-7 with Sunday's loss. If McCaffrey doesn't play again in 2024, he'll finish the campaign with 50 carries for 202 yards, 15 catches on 19 targets for 146 yards and zero total touchdowns.
McCaffrey (knee) won't return to Sunday's game against the Bills. McCaffrey was ruled out at halftime after limping to the locker room in the first half. Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo will lead San Francisco's rushing attack in the second half. McCaffrey will finish the night with seven carries for 53 yards and two catches for 14 yards on three targets. His next chance to play will be Week 14 against the Bears.
McCaffrey (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bills. McCaffrey felt something in his leg and slid down immediately after receiving a toss in the second quarter, then got up limping and promptly went to the medical tent. The star running back went to the locker room soon thereafter, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. McCaffrey had been off to a strong start in snowy Buffalo prior to the injury, rushing seven times for 53 yards and catching two of three targets for 14 yards. Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo will comprise San Francisco's backfield in McCaffrey's absence.
McCaffrey rushed 11 times for 31 yards and lost one fumble while catching three of four targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to Green Bay. The 49ers were without starting quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) on Sunday, which allowed the opposition to key in on McCaffrey's 14 touches. The 28-year-old also coughed up his first fumble of the campaign, adding insult to injury for his fantasy managers' box scores. Purdy's injury isn't considered serious, which bodes well for his availability and McCaffrey's point potential on the road against the Bills next Sunday.
McCaffrey rushed 19 times for 79 yards and brought in four of five targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to Seattle. McCaffrey looked healthy out there for the second consecutive game after missing the first half of the season with tendinitis in both of his Achilles tendons. The dual-threat back combined to go for over 100 total yards in consecutive appearances while handling nearly all of San Francisco's backfield work. McCaffrey should continue to be a focal point of the 49ers' attack in a tough matchup on the road against the Packers next Sunday.
McCaffrey (Achilles) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against Seattle, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports. McCaffrey took 89 percent of snaps and 19 touches last week in his season debut, making it through the win over Tampa Bay without any report of a setback or discomfort. The 49ers may continue to limit his practice reps but apparently want McCaffrey in his usual, near-every-down role on Sundays. He shouldn't lack for snaps or touches in an NFC West showdown this weekend.