What happened to Christian McCaffrey? 49ers RB goes down with leg injury vs. Bills
The San Francisco 49ers came into this game against the Bills decimated by injuries and Christian McCaffrey picked up one in the first half to further compound their problems. The running back, who has been the most explosive offensive weapon across the league for the last two years, missed the start of this season with an Achilles issue.
He had returned a few weeks ago and was looking to get his season going and in the process help the 49ers win against the Buffalo Bills tonight. A victory here would bring San Francisco's record to an even 0.500 and keep them in touch for the divisional title. Christian McCaffrey began the game looking good and picking some good yards in the Buffalo snow. Only some last-ditch tackles stopped him running all the way for a touchdown.
However, disaster struck in the second quarter when he was handed the ball by Brock Purdy and went down immediately after receiving it. It was a no-contact injury and he immediately slid down and hopped over to the sideline and then the medical tent. He was taken to the locker room shortly afterward.
It was reported on the broadcast that he had been taken to the X-ray room and the 49ers released information that Christian McCaffrey looks to have injured his knee. If that is the case, it would be a different injury to the Achilles issue that was plaguing him earlier in the season.
UPDATE: McCaffrey was ruled out for the rest of SNF game.
Christian McCaffrey's injury gives 49ers RB Jordan Mason a chance to shine against Bills
When Christian McCaffrey was unavailable toward the beginning of the season, Jordan Mason came in and played instead. He did very well and has more than 700 yards already for 2024, despite hardly featuring in the last three games. Kyle Shanahan does not like to rotate his running backs much and one of the best players for the season had to sit on the sidelines once the best player from last year returned to the lineup.
However, Jordan Mason got his chance again with Christian McCaffrey questionable to return against the Bills. Mason picked up 51 yards in just six carries, which was similar to the 53 yards that McCaffrey had picked up in seven rushing attempts before going down. There was no letdown in production in the offensive backfield with the replacement. But the Bills were having such a good game offensively in the first half that it did not matter who San Francisco had out.