It gets worse before it gets better, as can be said for Christian McCaffrey at the moment. McCaffrey’s 2024 season with the San Francisco 49ers hit another setback during their brutal 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year was forced out in the second quarter after suffering a PCL injury that seems to be season-ending. McCaffrey was seen on crutches with a knee brace after the game, and his father, Ed McCaffrey, gave insight into the star’s potential return.
Ed McCaffrey Backs Son Christian McCaffrey for Playing Amidst Injury Concerns
Speaking on the “Up & Adams Show,” Ed McCaffrey addressed his son’s ongoing injury concerns.
“If you’re healthy enough to play, you play, whether you’re going to the playoffs or not,” Ed said, pointing out that it’s a professional game and that head coach Kyle Shanahan has a win-at-all-costs mentality. He believes that if McCaffrey was helping the 49ers fresh from injury, he was doing no wrong.
Providing an injury update on his son, Ed added, “He has a PCL strain. He’ll get an MRI today, and hopefully, it’s not too serious and it’s something he can bounce back from pretty quickly. He’ll do everything he can to get back on the field as quickly as possible.”
Like any father, Ed feels the sting of watching his son endure these setbacks. “Any parent knows how it feels when things don’t go well for their kid. Christian’s tough; he’ll bounce back,” he said, hopeful for his son’s recovery.
3x SB Champ Ed McCaffrey on his son Christian's PCL injury in last night's game vs. Buffalo…
"It was tragic. It was a hard night… But Christian's tough, he'll bounce back." @CMC_22 @heykayadams @87ed @49ers | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/pbafRQgNvT
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) December 2, 2024
But with McCaffrey’s injury history, fans are questioning if it’s worth the risk.
This latest blow comes after McCaffrey returned from bilateral Achilles tendinitis last month, which forced him to miss the first eight games of the season. Since then, the 49ers’ RB has managed 202 rushing yards in four appearances.
McCaffrey’s resurgence was mandatory, given his stellar 2023 campaign, when he led the league with 1,459 rushing yards. But the 49ers have to fear the team scrambling to salvage their playoff hopes in the short run, and recurring injuries could cloud McCaffrey’s future in the long run.
According to Pro Football Network’s Playoff Predictor, after all of Sunday’s action in Week 13, the 49ers have only an 8.5% chance to make the playoffs. They have a 4.3% chance of winning their division and a whopping 1% chance of winning the Super Bowl.
The 49ers’ RB depth chart offers little solace when it comes to their playoff chances. Backup Jordan Mason previously filled in admirably but he has also landed on IR. Meanwhile, rookie Isaac Guerendo has shown promise but is unproven in high-pressure situations.
This year has been brutal for the 49ers when it comes to injuries. In all, the 49ers will have lost at least 47 games from their starting lineup that returned from the 2023 Super Bowl team. Last year, the two leaders in receptions on the 49ers were Brandon Aiyuk and McCaffrey. This year, those two won’t play a single game together.
All of the injuries have absolutely impacted this team’s offensive production.
Offensive Rates in 2023
- 2.69 points per drive
- 67.2% red zone TD rate
- 33.5% TD rate
- 10.1% turnover rate
Offensive Rates in 2024
- 2.08 points per drive
- 48.9% red zone TD rate
- 20.3% touchdown rate
- 13% turnover rate
As you can see above, they have seen a 22.7% decline in points per drive when compared to 2023.
McCaffrey’s grit and talent are undeniable, but his latest injury raises questions about his long-term durability in the NFL. Meanwhile, Shanahan’s men have daunting matchups against the Dolphins, Lions, and Cardinals lined up in the coming weeks.