San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey has already had a shortened season. It could even be shorter than he hoped after suffering a potentially serious injury on Sunday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills.
McCaffrey was taking a handoff in the cold and wintry conditions early in the second quarter when he appeared to suffer some sort of injury to his leg. He slipped on the snowy surface of Highmark Stadium and was later piled on by several Bills players.
McCaffrey was able to walk off the field under his own power and then went into the blue tent with the medical staff and then to the locker room. He did not return to the match.
After the game ended, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters, “They’re saying it’s a PCL (injury).” 49ers beat reporter Cam Inman this “could be a season-ending injury.”
Shanahan also told reporters that the running back will undergo an MRI on his injured knee on Monday.
It is unclear exactly which leg was injured, as two competing theories have since emerged as to when McCaffrey hurt his knee.
Niners running back Christian McCaffrey left Sunday’s game with a knee injury in Buffalo
The first theory is that McCaffrey injured his left knee during the stretch where he slid, as cameras appeared to see his left leg buckle slightly before hitting the ground.
Dr.’s social media account Evan Jeffries, DPT – aka @GameInjuryDoc – tweeted the video with the caption‘The initial indication appears to be that Christian McCaffrey has aggravated his calf/Achilles tendon. Cold weather is more than likely a factor.”
A second theory from former NFL team doctor David J. Chao believes that McCaffrey hurt his knee during the play earlier when his right knee hit the turf. Although it cannot be seen in the tweeted videoThe NBC broadcast showed McCaffrey standing up and appearing to let out a scream.
“Previous #CMC game probably involved knee injury,” Chao tweeted. “Worry about a right knee PCL sprain in a small tackle. The next run he doesn’t feel well and he goes down.’
In pre-season, McCaffrey suffered a calf and achilles injury that kept him out for the entire start of the campaign.
He was placed in casualty reserve after week 2 and visited a specialist in Germany as he was dealing with bilateral Achilles tendonitis.
McCaffrey was out until November 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.
He has played in just three games since returning to the team, racking up 149 yards in this week’s game.
One theory says that McCaffrey’s left knee buckled before he slipped on the grass and staggered away
Another theory concerns the play before the slide – on this little tackle where his right knee hit the ground and caused the running back to let out a painful scream
Prior to this season, McCaffrey missed significant time in two previous seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
In 2020, he played in just three games as he dealt with a high ankle sprain and then a shoulder injury that ultimately ended his season.
He played seven games in 2021 as he suffered a hamstring injury as well as an ankle injury.
When healthy, McCaffrey was one of the most reliable and important players on the 49ers team he was traded to in 2022.
Last season he led the league in rushing yards with a career high of 1,459. He also rushed for 14 touchdowns and caught seven touchdowns.