Following the San Francisco 49ers' Sunday night loss to the Buffalo Bills, head coach Kyle Shanahan provided several injury updates during a Monday conference call. The team announced that star running back Christian McCaffrey and backup Jordan Mason will be placed on injured reserve.
McCaffrey's season likely over
McCaffrey sustained a right posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury during Sunday's game, and additional testing confirmed a recovery timeline of approximately six weeks. While Shanahan noted the injury does not require surgery, McCaffrey's placement on injured reserve makes it unlikely he will return this season, with only five games remaining on the schedule.
"Shouldn't need surgery, but still about a six-week recovery," Shanahan said.
McCaffrey left the game in the second quarter and was evaluated in the medical tent before heading to the locker room. Following the game, he was seen using crutches and wearing a brace on his right knee. Before his exit, McCaffrey logged 53 rushing yards on seven carries (7.6 yards per attempt) and added 14 receiving yards on two catches.
McCaffrey's season concludes with 202 rushing yards on 50 carries and 146 receiving yards on 15 receptions in four games. After missing the first eight games of the season due to Achilles tendinitis, he struggled to regain his Offensive Player of the Year form but showed flashes of improvement on Sunday night before the latest injury.
"I just feel for him," Shanahan said. "It was a real frustrating year for him. He worked his ass off to get back to this point, and I think he was really feeling good and about to take off. And just had that real unfortunate injury last night.
"I know he's as crushed as anyone, but he'll get through this. He's a hell of a player, hell of a person, and an unbelievable Forty-Niner, and he'll be back stronger than ever next year to help us."
Mason joins McCaffrey on IR
Adding to the team's misfortune, Shanahan revealed that Mason suffered a high-ankle sprain during the game, sidelining him for several weeks. Mason stepped in for McCaffrey and rushed for 78 yards on 13 carries before sustaining the injury.
With McCaffrey and Mason out, rookie Isaac Guerendo is expected to take over as the starting running back. Shanahan noted that the team will also promote Patrick Taylor from the practice squad and explore options to sign an additional running back.
Additional injury updates
Defensive tackle Kevin Givens will also head to injured reserve after tearing a pectoral muscle, ending his season.
Shanahan provided the following updates on the players who were already injured heading into Week 13.
- G Aaron Banks and DT Jordan Elliott remain in concussion protocol.
- LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) is day-to-day.
- CB Deommodore Lenoir (knee) is expected to practice Wednesday.
- DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and T Trent Williams (ankle) will be evaluated throughout the week.
- LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) will continue to practice.
- S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) will have his practice window opened on Wednesday and may need to practice with a cast or other protective device.
Shanahan expressed concern about Williams' ankle, which remains hindered by persistent swelling.
"Trent's really trying to get back out here," Shanahan said. "It's just his ankle isn't healing the way we want. We can't get the swelling down and stuff. So that's why I'd like to say it's day-to-day, week-to-week, because we're expecting the swelling to go down and everything. It just hasn't.
"So we're trying to be patient with. I know he's being patient with it, and hopefully, it'll take a turn in the right direction this week, but it hasn't yet, so there's no guarantees."