Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers’ star running back, has been ruled out for the remainder of the NFL season due to a severe knee injury.
The 28 year old, who had already missed eight games with Achilles tendinitis, sustained the latest setback during Monday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
This means he’ll miss the final four games of the regular season and potentially the playoffs, should his team qualify.
In an emotional Instagram post, last year’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year shared his feelings: “Football is the greatest game on the planet to me,” McCaffrey penned. “I love that you can find out exactly who you are without ever saying a word. It lifts you up and breaks you down and it can happen fast. It’s humbling in the best ways.
“You can do everything right and still fail. That’s life and that’s football. It’s a constant test of wills and those who just keep going tend to reap the benefits of their perseverance. This wasn’t my year, and sometimes when it rains, it pours. You can feel sorry for yourself and listen to the birds, or you can hold the line.
“I’m grateful for the support of everyone in my corner and promise I’ll work smarter and harder than ever to come back better from this. I love my teammates, I love the 9ers, and I love football. God doesn’t miss. Onward.”
McCaffrey, a shining star of the NFL and this year’s Madden cover athlete, was picked seventh overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, he has earned himself three Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro honours.
McCaffrey was traded to the Panthers in 2022 and had his most successful season yet in 2023, leading the NFL in rushing yards that year. Now, after a tough season for both him and his team, the star running back is focusing on getting fit for the 2025 season.
The 49ers were seen as strong contenders at the start of this season, having reached the Super Bowl in February, where they suffered an overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan has been hit hard by injuries, including to McCaffrey.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk sustained a season-ending knee injury in October, while Jordan Mason – another of San Francisco’s running backs – has been placed on Injury Reserve. The 49ers have struggled to gain any momentum in 2024, currently sitting at the bottom of the NFC West with a 5-7 record and facing a season without the playoffs.
