Christian McCaffrey injury comes at the absolute worst time vs. Bills
By Peter Panacy
Christian McCaffrey was getting into a groove against the Bills, but a non-contact injury is about the worst possible thing for the 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers' lone best chance to upset the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football was to ride the momentum behind All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.
Early on, it looked as if that would be the case. McCaffrey was rumbling on the ground amid the snow at Highmark Stadium, churning out 53 yards on seven carries in the first quarter-plus and averaging 7.6 yards per carry. Additionally, with quarterback Brock Purdy's efforts through the air hindered by the inclement weather, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year served as a reliable checkdown artist, hauling in two catches for 14 yards.
Until one play when McCaffrey went down behind the line of scrimmage with a non-contact injury.
McCaffrey got up and immediately ran to the sideline, seemingly favoring his lower body, and sideline reporter Melissa Stark reported it was a knee injury.
"[McCaffrey] tried to jog in place, knew something was wrong, ripped his chin strap off," Stark said on the broadcast. "He limped gingerly into the x-ray room. We are told he's questionable with a knee injury."
It's possible the injury occurred the play prior to McCaffrey's non-contact fall, according to the below opinion:
The previous #CMC play is likely where knee injury happens. Worry for right knee PCL sprain on shoestring tackle. The next run, he doesn't feel right and goes down. pic.twitter.com/aeQfmoS53x
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 2, 2024
Right after halftime, Sunday Night Football's broadcast aired the sideline interview with head coach Kyle Shanahan that declared McCaffrey out for the rest of the game.
The talented rusher missed the first eight games of the season because of Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs, and even upon his return, McCaffrey struggled to find his true groove.
Week 13 appeared to be the game in which he would finally break out, assisting a shorthanded Niners squad that's already beset by plenty of injuries this season. However, McCaffrey was seen walking back to the locker room after a questionable-to-return designation.
The Bills capitalized on the injury, notching their second touchdown of the night after San Francisco's failed offensive possession to take a 14-3 lead.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are desperate to avoid yet another loss, which would hinder their dwindling playoff hopes greatly.
And those hopes just took another blow with McCaffrey's exit.
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