The San Francisco 49ers received some brutal news on Sunday evening.

According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a potentially season-ending PCL injury in their 35–10 loss against the Buffalo Bills.

“It was frustrating,” Shanahan later told reporters of the 28-year-old’s injury. “He had a great week of practice and I could feel his urgency and stuff. Thought he came out great, looking real good. He looked like he just got his shoestring there, he was about to break a house call. I’m guessing he got hurt on that play, I don’t know I never got to talk to him, but hurt for him and tough for our team that that happened to him.”

McCaffrey gave himself up on a pitch play in the second quarter before immediately running to the sideline and then to the locker room. He remained out for the rest of the game.

According to Bills reporter Sal Capaccio, McCaffrey was seen after the game walking, “very slowly, using crutches, with a large brace on his right knee.” ESPN reports McCaffrey will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.

The 49ers were already without the star running back for the first eight games of the season while he recovered from bilateral Achilles tendinitis. It’s now looking like they won’t have him for the rest of the 2024 campaign.

McCaffrey signed a two-year, $38 million contract extension with San Francisco back in June, tying him to the franchise through the 2027 season. He’s due to make $16.2 million next year, in what will be his age-29 season.

Fans Saddened After Seeing Christian McCaffrey’s Photo Post-Injury

After the game, a photo surfaced of McCaffrey wearing a knee brace and seen using crutches.

Christian McCaffrey leaving on crutches after getting injured against the #Bills pic.twitter.com/ndW0DaANCr
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) December 2, 2024

After the photo emerged, fans couldn’t help but feel sad for the star running back who has battled plenty of injuries throughout his career. “That’s a bummer,” one fan wrote. “Ugh hate to see it,” said another. “That sucks. Hope it’s nothing serious,” another replied. “Hate to see that,” said another. Bills reporter Sal Capaccio also posted on X that McCaffrey was wearing crutches, although he didn’t take a photo. However, fans reacted to his post as well in disbelief and pure sadness. Just saw 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey walk by us very slowly, using crutches, with a large brace on his right knee.

“Poor guy, can’t catch a break. Such a talented player too,” another fan wrote. “Dang that really is sad,” replied another. “Absolutely sucks. I hope he heals up quick and well,” another fan said. “This sucks man he’s so electric,” wrote another. “this is awful dude the injury bug has fully caught him. i feel terrible… could be season ending but with his age it could be career :/ really hope he’s okay and can come out the other side,” replied another. “Very unfortunate. Wish him a speedy recovery,” wrote another. McCaffrey played all 16 games in his first three NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers. After that, he played a total of 20 games in the next two seasons before playing 17 games in 2022 and 16 in 2023. This season, however, he began on the Injured Reserve before returning on November 10 for his 2024 season debut. Now, all signs point to McCaffrey being out once again for an extended period, and fans feel awful for the star running back.