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.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Headed to IR, out at least six weeks
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that McCaffrey is headed to injured reserve and is expected to need at least six weeks to recover from the PCL injury he suffered in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
McCaffrey sustained the injury in the first half of Sunday's contest, when his right knee appeared to give out on him when he attempted to run upfield on a pitch to the outside. Jordan Mason stepped in for McCaffrey and took on the majority of the snaps out of the backfield, but he too is bound for IR after suffering a high-ankle sprain late in the contest. With the top two backs on the 49ers' roster out until at least Week 18, rookie Isaac Guerendo vaults to the top spot on the depth chart and could be in line for a three-down role, making him a priority pickup in all fantasy leagues where he's available. McCaffrey, meanwhile, could have an outside chance at making it back in action if the 49ers make a deep playoff run, though their postseason hopes are fading as they head into Week 14 with a 5-7 record. Shanahan said that McCaffrey won't require surgery on the knee injury, so the star tailback should be back to full health in advance of OTAs in the spring.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: PCL injury could end season
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills that McCaffrey (knee) suffered a PCL injury in the contest that may be season-ending, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Making only his fourth appearance after missing the 49ers' first eight games due to a strained calf and bilateral Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey injured his right knee while he attempted to plant his feet and move upfield on a pitch, only to slide down and take a five-yard loss. After initially heading to the locker room and being listed as questionable to return, McCaffrey was ruled out for the rest of the night. The star running back will likely undergo further testing Monday to confirm that he's dealing with a PCL injury, and in the likely event that McCaffrey misses time, Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo will be relied upon to lead San Francisco's backfield. 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.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Won't return against Buffalo
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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.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Injures knee on SNF
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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.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Struggles sans star QB
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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.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Cracks century mark in total yards
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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.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Cleared to play again
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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.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Gains 107 yards on 19 touches
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McCaffrey (Achilles) rushed 13 times for 39 yards and caught six of seven targets for 68 yards in Sunday's 23-20 win over Tampa Bay.
McCaffrey made a successful 2024 debut after missing the first nine weeks of the fantasy season with tendinitis in both of his Achilles tendons followed by a bye. The 28-year-old was not limited in terms of usage or production, hitting the century mark in total yards while handling 19 touches. Backup running backs Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo touched the ball just once each, suggesting McCaffrey will resume his usual workhorse role on offense moving forward. CMC should be considered an elite fantasy play against a struggling Seattle defense in Week 11.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Listed as questionable, should play
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McCaffrey (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, with coach Kyle Shanahan saying Friday that the running back will play, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The 49ers will need to activate him from injured reserve by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday if he's indeed going to make his season debut this Sunday. Shanahan said Thursday that he expected McCaffrey to play, then reaffirming the plan after Friday's practice. McCaffrey may not jump right back into his accustomed every-down role, but even somewhat lesser usage could be enough to produce a big stat line against Tampa Bay's struggling defense.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Stays limited at practice
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McCaffrey (Achilles) was limited at Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Following the 49ers' Week 9 bye, the 49ers designated McCaffrey for return from injured reserve Monday, and he's proceeded to log back-to-back capped sessions. Coach Kyle Shanahan relayed to Adam Schefter of ESPN on Wednesday that McCaffrey has experienced "no pain" in either of his Achilles, so the team likely is just easing the running back in this week. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will unveil whether McCaffrey is cleared ahead of the weekend or 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, assuming he's able to make his season debut.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Limited Wednesday, has no discomfort
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey will be a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, but the running back has exhibited "no pain" in either of his Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The 49ers designated McCaffrey for return from injured reserve Monday following their Week 9 bye, opening a 21-day window in which to evaluate him for a return to the active roster. The team has been circling this Sunday's game at Tampa Bay as his likely season debut, but McCaffrey may need to conclude this week with a full practice in order to go into the weekend without a designation.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Set to practice during bye week
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McCaffrey (Achilles) is on track to participate in a "bonus" practice that the 49ers have scheduled during their Week 9 bye, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Though the extent of his practice activity won't be known until the 49ers release their next injury report Wednesday, Nov. 6, McCaffrey's expected involvement in on-field drills during the bye week bodes well for his chances of making his season debut during the 49ers' Week 10 game Nov. 10 at Tampa Bay. McCaffrey sat out the entire preseason with a calf strain before being diagnosed with bilateral Achilles tendinitis in September. He made a visit to Germany just over a month ago to meet with a specialist regarding the injury, and McCaffrey has seemingly made good progress in his recovery ever since. If McCaffrey is in fact cleared to play coming out of the Week 9 bye, he could be eased back in with a lighter snap count Week 10 against the Buccaneers rather than immediately reclaiming a three-down workhorse role.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Unlikely for Sunday, may play Week 10
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that McCaffrey (Achilles) is unlikely to practice this week, but the 49ers are hopeful the running back will be able to return after their Week 9 bye for a Nov. 10 game at Tampa Bay, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Shanahan added that he would be "surprised" if McCaffrey is able to play Sunday against the Cowboys, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. The 49ers can designate McCaffrey to return from injured reserve at any point, which would allow him to get back on the practice field and give San Francisco 21 days in which to activate him. With McCaffrey still sidelined, though, Jordan Mason will continue to operate as the 49ers' lead running back.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Has tendinitis in both Achilles
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that McCaffrey is tending to tendinitis in both of his Achilles, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. "I think it started in one, and you overcompensate, it went to the other," Shanahan added. "Mainly one of them has just been bothering him, but he's had it in both."
After a recent visit to Germany to meet with a specialist, McCaffrey returned to San Francisco, and a plan for ramping up his activity level was mentioned by Shanahan last Thursday on 104.5 KNBR. In particular, Shanahan noted the 49ers will "start testing it out here sooner rather than later." McCaffrey must remain on injured reserve through at least Week 5, but he's slated to miss more time than that considering he has no timetable to return. A report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Sunday relayed that McCaffrey may run on hard ground this week, and there's a chance he'll be back in action by early November. The coming weeks should be key to determining when McCaffrey could be available for his season debut.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Ready to increase activity level
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that McCaffrey (Achilles) may "start hitting the rehab here harder on Monday," Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
McCaffrey has returned from his trip to Germany to see a specialist for his Achilles tendinitis. He won't be eligible to return from injured reserve until Week 6 and still may be out much longer than that, but it sounds like he's at least gotten clearance to increase his activity level within the next few days.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Plan coming together for recovery
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday on 104.5 KNBR that the 49ers will "probably turn it up here in the next couple of weeks" with McCaffrey (calf/Achilles). "We'll start testing it out here sooner rather than later," Shanahan added.
Because McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve prior to the 49ers' Week 2 loss at Minnesota, he won't be eligible to practice until before a Week 6 road matchup with the Seahawks. Having said that, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Sept. 15 that McCaffrey could miss six weeks or perhaps more than that. If San Francisco ultimately designates McCaffrey to return from IR, he'd have three weeks to test out his Achilles before the team would need to make a decision to activate him. The hope is that his recent visit to Germany to meet with a specialist will aid in the recovery of what's been ailing McCaffrey, but for as long as he's sidelined, the 49ers will entrust most of the backfield reps to Jordan Mason.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Visiting specialist in Germany
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that McCaffrey flew to Germany over the weekend to visit with a specialist for his Achilles tendinitis, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
The saga surrounding McCaffrey continues as he seeks all avenues to get past an injury that has plagued him since early August. Shanahan noted McCaffrey is slated to spend multiple days in Germany, perhaps with the aim to precipitate his recovery. With three games missed during his current absence, he still must reside on injured reserve for at least two more games, but there's an expectation that he'll be out six weeks and maybe more than that, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. In the meantime, Jordan Mason will continue to pace San Francisco's backfield.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Likely facing six-plus-week absence
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McCaffrey (calf), who was placed on injured reserve Saturday, is "likely to be out six weeks or potentially more" while he recovers from Achilles tendinitis, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
McCaffrey's placement on IR ensures that he'll miss the 49ers' next four games, but Rapoport suggests that the team is preparing for the star tailback to miss additional time beyond that. The 28-year-old isn't helped by the fact that the 49ers will play a Thursday night game in Seattle in Week 6, the first game in which McCaffrey would be eligible to return from IR. While Rapoport notes that McCaffrey won't be at an elevated risk of tearing his Achilles once he eventually plays again, the running back's Achilles tendinitis is regarded as a painful injury that will require rest and rehab for him to properly heal. Jordan Mason played 81 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps and took on 29 touches in a Week 1 win over the Jets, and he looks like he could be in line for a heavy workload for the duration of McCaffrey's absence.
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49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Headed to IR
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McCaffrey (Achilles/calf) will be placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
This move became a clear possibility when McCaffrey didn't practice Friday and was subsequently ruled out for Sunday's Week 2 contest versus Minnesota. McCaffrey will now be required to miss San Francisco's next four contests, thus his earliest return date is Oct. 10 versus Seattle on Thursday Night Football. Jordan Mason will continue to hold lead running back duties for the 49ers for as long as McCaffrey remains sidelined.
