Injuries continue to deplete 49ers; McCaffrey, Mason both head to injured reserve

As the San Francisco 49ers’ hopes of making the playoffs dwindle, news broke on Monday that both of their best running backs would be sidelined for many weeks.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan informed reporters during a conference call on Monday that Christian McCaffrey, the team’s starting back, would be placed on the injured reserve list due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in his right knee during Sunday night’s 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Jordan Mason, the backup running back, will also miss at least four games due to a high ankle injury. According to Shanahan, defensive tackle Kevin Givens will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle.

On Sunday, Shanahan conceded that McCaffrey’s injury might spell the end of his season. Shanahan stated on Monday that the injury will not necessitate surgery and that a six-week rehabilitation period is anticipated. With five games left, the reigning NFC Champions are 5-7 and in last place in the NFC West.

Due to Achilles tendonitis, McCaffrey, who was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year the previous season, missed the 49ers’ opening eight games. On Sunday, he had pulled off a number of long runs and was starting to regain his 2023 form when he fell hard on his knee on Buffalo’s snowy grass. After taking a few feet on a later run, he slid to the turf without making contact and went straight to the sidelines to be checked in the medical tent.

Before getting hurt on Sunday, Mason ran the ball 13 times for 73 yards. A weak Niners squad that has struggled with injuries to many of its starters throughout the season now starts rookie Isaac Guerendo, who rushed for a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

The 49ers lost Brandon Aiyuk, Jon Feliciano, Javon Hargrave, Talanoa Hufanga, and Elijah Mitchell to the injured reserve list this season, meaning they were without five starters versus Buffalo. Additionally, they have been without their top linebacker Dre Greenlaw for the whole season because he tore his Achilles during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss last year.

On Sunday, Aaron Banks, Jordan Elliott, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, and Deommodore Lenoir joined All-Pros Trent Williams and Nick Bosa in their absence. Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, and Jake Moody are among the 49ers who have missed games recently because of various injuries.

A number of players have suffered off-field tragedies, which have also saddened the 49ers. Williams and his wife lost one of their twins during her pregnancy, and the other was stillborn in late November, according to information released on Monday. Star cornerback Charvarius Wardan revealed in October that his 23-month-old daughter had passed away due to delivery difficulties. Sunday was Ward’s first game back after weeks of mourning vacation following her passing.

Ricky Pearsall, the 49ers’ top draft pick, was shot in the chest close to Union Square in San Francisco prior to the start of the season. Just 50 days after the incident, in October, he made his on-field debut with the squad when he had fully recovered.

Carlos E. Casta eda works at CBS Bay Area as a senior news and social media editor.

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