The San Francisco 49ers faced a significant setback during their recent 35-10 defeat to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football in Week 13. The team experienced two critical injuries to their offensive backfield, impacting their chances moving forward in the season.
Starting running back Christian McCaffrey was forced to leave the game due to a knee injury, prompting Jordan Mason, his primary backup, to step in. Unfortunately, Mason also sustained an injury—an ankle issue—that led to his departure in the later stages of the match.
On Monday, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that McCaffrey had a PCL injury, which is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the season. Mason’s injury was determined to be a high-ankle sprain, and both players have now been placed on injured reserve. This leaves the 49ers’ running back roster thin, already depleted by the earlier loss of veteran Elijah Mitchell, who faces a season-ending hamstring injury.
Looking ahead, the 49ers are left with limited options. The running back room currently features just two healthy players: Isaac Guerendo and Ty Johnson. Guerendo, a fourth-round rookie from Louisville, has been primarily used sparingly but has shown potential, accumulating 246 yards and two touchdowns from 42 carries, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry. His speed, highlighted by a 4.33 seconds 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine, offers something to be hopeful about as he steps into a more prominent role.
Ty Johnson, in his fifth NFL season, brings experience to the backfield, having compiled 286 yards and a touchdown on 72 carries throughout his career. Although he has only seen limited action this season with the 49ers, he is expected to take on a larger role in light of the recent injuries.
To bolster their ranks, the 49ers may look to add another running back to their roster to ensure adequate depth. Meanwhile, the coaching staff could explore creative strategies, such as utilizing fullback Kyle Juszczyk and wide receiver Deebo Samuel for additional carries as the team adapts to this situation.
While injuries are challenging, they also present an opportunity for lesser-known talents like Guerendo to shine and make a mark in the league. Fans can remain optimistic as the team rallies around their new offensive strategy in the coming weeks.