The San Francisco 49ers faced a tough setback during their recent 35-10 defeat against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, as they suffered injuries to two key players in their backfield. Starting running back Christian McCaffrey exited the game early with a knee injury, which has since been identified as a likely season-ending PCL injury. His top backup, Jordan Mason, also had to leave the field due to an ankle injury, specifically a high-ankle sprain.
Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the unfortunate news on Monday, placing both players on injured reserve. This situation has left the 49ers’ running back room significantly depleted, especially after already losing veteran Elijah Mitchell to a hamstring injury earlier in the season.
Now, the team is looking to navigate the final stretch of the season with a notably thin running back crew. Currently, only two healthy players remain in their running back rotation: rookie Isaac Guerendo, who was a fourth-round pick from Louisville, and Ty Montgomery, an experienced player in his fifth NFL season.
Guerendo, while still relatively untested, has shown promise with an impressive 246 yards and two touchdowns on just 42 carries this season, averaging an outstanding 5.9 yards per carry. He demonstrated this potential with a strong performance against the Bills, where he gained 19 yards and scored a touchdown. His best outing, which included 102 total yards and a career-high 17 touches, came in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.
On the other hand, Ty Montgomery, who has predominantly played as a receiver, brings more experience to the table. He has accumulated 286 yards and one touchdown during his career but has been used sparingly this season, managing only eight touches for 37 yards.
In light of these injuries, it is likely the 49ers will seek to bolster their running back depth by adding another player to the roster. Additionally, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and wide receiver Deebo Samuel could also step up to fill the gap left by McCaffrey and Mason.
This challenging situation presents an opportunity for Guerendo and Montgomery to step into the limelight and showcase their skills, as the coaching staff adapts their strategy to keep the run game effective. Fans can remain hopeful that this resilient team will find ways to overcome adversity and make a strong finish in the upcoming weeks of the season.