The 49ers' backup running back is placed on IR, leaving the team with only one healthy running back as they continue their tumultuous season.

The 49ers have confirmed that McCaffrey sustained a likely season-ending PCL injury.

The 49ers' backup running back is placed on IR, leaving the team with only one healthy running back as they continue their tumultuous season.
The 49ers' backup running back is placed on IR, leaving the team with only one healthy running back as they continue their tumultuous season.

On Sunday night, the San Francisco 49ers announced that Christian McCaffrey suffered a season-ending PCL injury, and his backup is also going to injured reserve.

Jordan Mason, who admirably filled in for McCaffrey while dealing with Achilles tendinitis in both ankles at the start of the season, will miss at least the next four games due to a high-ankle sprain suffered in the blowout loss to the Bills.

With only five games left in the season, the 49ers are forced to rely on rookie Isaac Guerendo as their primary running back.

Jordan Mason tackled
49ers running back Jordan Mason is shown during the first half against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 1, 2024. (IMAGN)

Shanahan stated that McCaffrey, the 49ers' star player, may not return to the field this season.

Prior to learning that it's six weeks for him to heal with not that many games remaining on the schedule, Shanahan said that he believed PCL usually takes a couple weeks, but he was not entirely certain yet.

The 49ers are desperately trying to win three straight games to end the season and make it back to the playoffs after losing three in a row.

Despite being in last place in the NFC West, the division-leading Seattle Seahawks are only 7-5.

Christian McCaffrey runs
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey runs with the ball during the first half against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Shanahan's offense will rely heavily on his rookie running back to carry a workload that San Francisco was hoping McCaffrey could do after recovering from his Achilles injuries.

McCaffrey had 53 rushing yards on seven attempts and two catches for 14 yards before leaving the game on his own power. During one of those runs, he slid after feeling something wasn't right.

This season, McCaffrey has participated in only four games, accumulating 202 rushing yards but no touchdowns, either on the ground or through the air.

This season, Mason has been the lead back with McCaffrey injured, and he has rushed for over 100 yards in three of his first four games. Although he slowed down a bit, he still set new career highs with 789 yards and three touchdowns.

Jordan Mason runs
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills. (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

Over 12 games, Guerendo, a fourth-round pick from Louisville, has accumulated 246 yards and two touchdowns on 42 rush attempts.

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by Scott Thompson

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