San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey injured his knee in the 49ers’ 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night, and coach Kyle Shanahan said the injury is “potentially” season-ending.
Shanahan mentioned that McCaffrey likely hurt his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), which connects the thigh bone to the shin. Although there is no exact timeline for McCaffrey’s return, Shanahan acknowledged that his season could be over.
McCaffrey has already had a tough season. He missed the first eight games because of Achilles tendinitis and has not been playing at his usual high level since returning.
The 49ers have also faced many injuries this season, with five starters missing against the Bills. They have now lost three games in a row and are in danger of missing the playoffs, sitting last in the NFC West standings.
“It takes away just how we do some things in the offense,” said quarterback Brock Purdy, referring to McCaffrey’s absence. McCaffrey hurt his knee while trying a sweep to the left on a snow-covered field, immediately going down for a 5-yard loss. He was examined on the sidelines before limping to the locker room. Before the third quarter, the team announced McCaffrey would not return.
Shanahan believes McCaffrey hurt his knee earlier in the drive when he was tackled by Taylor Rapp after an 18-yard run. Shanahan described the play, saying it looked like McCaffrey almost broke free but got tackled by the shoelace. McCaffrey had been performing well, with his longest run of the season (19 yards) in the first quarter, along with seven carries for 53 yards and two catches for 14 yards.
“He was on fire man,” said Purdy. “He looked great, hitting the holes hard, bouncing off guys, and making some great plays.”
The 49ers had many struggles in the game, which was played in snowy weather. Kicker Jake Moody missed two of three field-goal attempts, and the team lost three fumbles. One of the fumbles occurred when fullback Kyle Juszczyk had the ball punched out at the Buffalo 1-yard line, ending the 49ers’ first drive of the second half.
Star linebacker Fred Warner, who has been playing with a broken bone in his ankle, also had to leave the game because of cramps and received IV fluids. He returned later, but by then, James Cook had scored a 65-yard touchdown, putting the Bills ahead 14-3.
The 49ers did have some success running the ball, gaining 153 yards despite the snowy conditions. J.P. Mason had 73 yards on 13 carries, and Issac Guerendo ran for a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“Our goal was to run the heck out of the football, keep Josh Allen off the field,” said tight end George Kittle. “And I think we did a really good job of that. But we have to score points.” Kittle had one 7-yard reception on the 49ers’ first play but didn’t catch any more passes in the game.
“It feels dark and gloomy and absolutely depressing,” Kittle said. “Football is tough man. Stuff happens and you’re either going to let it beat you down into oblivion and just give up, or you are going to continue to go out there and swing and fight every day that you have left.”
