San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo has been diagnosed with a sprained foot, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Monday.

The 24-year-old running back left Sunday's 38-13 victory over the Chicago Bears with just over five minutes remaining in regulation. He recorded 15 carries for 78 yards and two catches for 50 yards before his exit.

Guerendo has recorded 246 yards this season with two touchdowns and three fumbles in his rookie season.

With both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on the injured reserve list, it looks like the 49ers may need to dig even deeper into their depth chart. Next in line will be 26-year-old Patrick Taylor Jr., who recorded 25 yards on seven carries with one touchdown in Sunday's victory.

The best-case scenario for the 49ers would be a quick turnaround for the young running back. However, with the team's next game coming on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams, he will have limited time to try to get back on the field.

The 49ers have been riddled with injuries this season. On Sunday alone, they had nine players listed as out or questionable.

San Francisco currently sits tied for last place with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West.

The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly expected to lean on rookie running back Isaac Guerendo for the remainder of the 2024 regular season.

According to ESPN, Guerendo is preparing to "carry a heavy workload" after the Niners placed both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on injured reserve following last weekend's loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The fourth-round pick out of Louisville hasn't gotten a ton of usage behind McCaffrey and Mason on the depth chart, but he has delivered when called upon, rushing for 246 yards and two touchdowns on 42 carries.

After being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, McCaffrey began 2024 on the shelf due to an Achilles injury.

McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the season, but Mason filled in admirably, rushing for 685 yards and three touchdowns during that stretch.

During the 35-10 loss to Buffalo, McCaffrey suffered a knee injury and Mason went down with a high ankle sprain. Both were placed on IR, meaning they must miss at least the next four games.

The earliest either player can return would be a Week 18 game against the Arizona Cardinals, which could be a huge contest for the Niners.

After reaching the Super Bowl last season, 2024 has largely been a struggle for the 49ers, and injuries to key players have been a big reason why.

At 5-7, the 49ers are in last place in the NFC West, although they only trail the division-leading Seattle Seahawks by two games.

Given their talent, it is not outside the realm of possibility that the 49ers could still run the table and win the division.

However, in order for that to happen, they will likely need their running game to fire on all cylinders, and they will have to rely on a rookie to make that happen.

The 6-foot, 221-pound Guerendo has a rare blend of size and speed, and he has already shown an ability to produce in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system when given the opportunity.

Guerendo has very little behind him in terms of quality depth at running back. Patrick Taylor has rushed 72 times for 286 yards over four NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers and 49ers, while Israel Abanikanda rushed 22 times for 70 yards last season with the New York Jets.

Since all signs point toward Guerendo being the clear go-to guy in San Francisco's backfield, he could be a potential league winner for fantasy football managers who were lucky enough to acquire him off waivers.

He could also be a season saver for the 49ers, and it starts with a pivotal home game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has dismissed any speculation that Kyle Shanahan won't be the team's head coach in 2025.

Appearing on KNBR's Marcus & Murphy show on Friday, Lynch called the idea that the 49ers would look to trade Shanahan to the Chicago Bears "comical."

There is no indication that either Shanahan or the 49ers are looking to move on from each other, but that didn't stop Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio from floating the possibility of a separation after this season.

Florio said on Tuesday's episode of The Rich Eisen Show (starts at 7:59 mark) that both parties would benefit from a "fresh start" and cited the Bears as a team that should try to trade for Shanahan since they will be hiring a new head coach.

Florio even acknowledged "there's nothing specific" that led him to throw out this scenario, other than Shanahan has been with San Francisco since 2017 and has come up short in the playoffs multiple times.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show that there has been "zero indication" the 49ers are looking to move on from either Shanahan or Lynch.

This season has been incredibly frustrating for everyone in San Francisco. Injuries have thrown this roster into a state of chaos where it's hard to know who is playing in any given week.

The 49ers put Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on injured reserve this week. They joined a group of IR players that already included Brandon Aiyuk and Javon Hargrave. Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw recently had their practice windows opened after spending most of the season on injured reserve.

Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and Charvarius Ward have all missed at least one game.

When you combine the injuries with their lack of premium draft picks in recent years, it has resulted in the 49ers entering Week 14 with a 5-7 record and in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

For all of the issues the Niners have had this season, it is important to remember where the organization was before Shanahan and Lynch were hired in 2017. They were 7-25 in the previous two seasons combined when they cycled through Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly at head coach.

It might be time for the 49ers to go through a bit of a reset this offseason because their core group from this recent run of success has gotten older and more expensive, but there's no need to restart everything from scratch because there is still plenty of top-tier talent in place that should continue to play at a high level in 2025.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve for the second time this season after suffering a PCL injury in Sunday night's loss to the Buffalo Bills, which almost assuredly will end his season barring a deep playoff run by the Niners.

On Wednesday, he posted a message on Instagram regarding this season's adversity:

Football is the greatest game on the planet to me. 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 49ers, and I love football. God doesn't miss. Onward.

McCaffrey, missed the first eight games of the 2024 season with Achilles tendonitis in both legs. When healthy, he rushed for 202 yards and added 15 catches for 146 yards in four games. He didn't register a touchdown.

It was a far cry from 2023's AP Offensive Player of the Year performance, which saw him reach the end zone in 13 different regular season games and register 1,459 yards on the ground, 67 catches for 564 yards and 21 total touchdowns.

He was just as good in the playoffs, putting up 420 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns en route to a berth in the Super Bowl, where San Francisco was bested by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I feel for him. It was a really frustrating year for him," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters earlier in the week regarding McCaffrey. "... I think he was really feeling good and about to take off. He just had that really unfortunate injury last night. I know he is as crushed as anyone, but he will get through this. He is a hell of a player, hell of a person and an unbelievable 49ers player. He'll be back stronger than ever next year to help us."

The Niners now find themselves incredibly thin at running back, with Jordan Mason also heading to injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain. Rookie Isaac Guerendo will now serve as the team's starting running back, while the team has made several moves to fill out the depth chart behind him.

In the process, San Francisco's hopes of rebounding from a 5-7 record and reaching the playoffs is in major jeopardy. The Niners sit 11th in the NFC and three games behind the Washington Commanders in the win column for the No. 7 seed. The team may need to win out to have a chance at reaching the playoffs, and given their continued onslaught of injuries around the roster, that feels like the longest of shots.

Christian McCaffrey's injury-ridden season took another unfortunate turn when the star running back went down with another injury in the San Francisco 49ers' Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury that requires a six-week recovery. Luckily, the injury will not require surgery.

But all hope of McCaffrey returning this year is not lost. Per NFL Network's Clayton Holloway, Shanahan said on Wednesday that McCaffrey could potentially return to the field if San Francisco makes the playoffs.

A playoff appearance will take some work for the 49ers, who dropped to 5-7 with Sunday's loss, but if they do end up in the postseason, their chances of a deep run would increase significantly if McCaffrey were to play.

McCaffrey, who suffered Achilles tendonitis during training camp and missed the first eight games of the year, played just four games before suffering the PCL injury. In snowy conditions in Buffalo in Week 13, McCaffrey went down untouched and did not return to the game.

Through four games, McCaffrey had 202 rushing yards on 50 carries along with 146 receiving yards on 15 receptions.

McCaffrey had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, totaling 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 564 receiving yards and seven touchdowns through the air.

After his MVP-caliber season, there were high expectations for him in 2024, but injuries unfortunately stood in his way.

McCaffrey has been one of many 49ers to have dealt with injuries this year. Also in Week 13, backup running back Jordan Mason suffered a high-ankle sprain that landed him on the injured reserve. Defensive end Nick Bosa and offensive tackle Trent Williams have missed time with an oblique injury and an ankle injury, respectively, and Brandon Aiyuk is out for the year with a torn ACL.

The San Francisco 49ers and fantasy football players who were relying on the NFC West team's running backs are probably all looking for replacement options with Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason sidelined by injuries.

With that as the backdrop, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that the 49ers claimed running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the New York Jets.

The move comes after 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills and will be out for at least six weeks. What's more, Mason was also placed on injured reserve because of an ankle injury.

Mason played well for the 49ers and fantasy football players who picked him up off waivers earlier in the season when McCaffrey was sidelined. He ran for 100 or more yards in three of the team's first four games.

It is a testament to Shanahan's system that plug-in players can still be effective, which provides some fantasy hope for those who pick up Abanikanda.

Still, he will likely be behind Isaac Guerendo on the depth chart, which will limit his opportunities to be a surefire fantasy contributor.

Guerendo is the waiver-wire darling of the week everywhere one looks given the opportunity in front of him with the two injuries. It is not dissimilar to the one Mason received at the start of the season, and he thrived in this 49ers offense.

There is also something of a track record this season for Guerendo, who ran for 99 yards on 10 carries against the Seattle Seahawks and 85 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries against the Dallas Cowboys in the two games he received double-digit carries.

That suggests big things are ahead for the 2024 fourth-rounder when San Francisco faces the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Frankly, Abanikanda is nothing more than a handcuff option in fantasy circles at this point. Still, storing handcuff options on the 49ers has proven fruitful multiple times this season, as those with Mason and now Guerendo were in perfect position when injury struck.

It's not worth starting Abanikanda at this point, but it might be worth rostering him in case of yet another setback at the position.

San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury and is expected to miss six weeks, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters:

The injury is not expected to require surgery, Shanahan said Monday.

Backup Jordan Mason is also set to go on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain.

McCaffrey went down with a noncontact injury in Sunday night's game against the Buffalo Bills, which was played in snowy conditions. He gave himself up on a run play and appeared to be favoring his right leg. At the time of his exit, he had 53 yards on just seven carries.

The team initially announced that he was questionable to return to the game with a knee injury, but he was ultimately ruled out for the rest of the contest as San Francisco suffered a 35-10 loss to fall to 5-7 this season. Shanahan told reporters after the game, "They're saying it's a PCL," and added that McCaffrey could be facing a season-ending injury.

The injury continues a season of misfortune for McCaffrey, who suffered Achilles tendonitis during training camp and was forced to miss the 49ers' first eight games of the year. He made his season debut in Week 10 following the team's bye week and has produced 202 rushing yards and 146 receiving yards.

McCaffrey isn't the only ailing star for San Francisco, as multiple key players have missed time at various points this season. Star defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique) and All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle) missed the last two games. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk is out for the year with a torn ACL. Even quarterback Brock Purdy missed the team's Week 12 loss to the Green Bay Packers with a shoulder injury.

All of that has created a disappointing season for the defending NFC champions. The 49ers were expected to be one of the top contenders to make it back to the Super Bowl, but they just can't escape their run of bad luck.

Without McCaffrey and Mason, San Francisco will turn to Isaac Guerendo, who has been a reliable ball-carrier when given the chance this year.

The wife of San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams announced their son, Trenton O'Brien Williams Jr., was stillborn on Nov. 24.

"My firstborn and only son, I've always wanted you, but God wanted and needed you more," Sondra Williams wrote Sunday. "Knowing you are in Heaven with your Great-Aunt Vivian and that you will Always be our Guardian Angel brings me great comfort in the midst of all this sorrow. My heart is heavy. Being home without you in my arms has been quite an adjustment. Knowing I will never be able to watch you grow older alongside your sisters has my eyes filled with tears."

Sondra was originally pregnant with twins but lost a child earlier in the pregnancy. She said Trenton Jr. was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, a chromosome disorder that can physical and intellectual difficulties after birth.

Sondra and Trent Williams have three daughters together.

Trent is into his 14th season in the NFL and fifth with the 49ers. An 11-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, the 36-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen of his generation.

Williams has started 10 games for San Francisco in 2024. An ankle injury sidelined him for the last two weeks.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle told reporters he had "no idea" why he received just two targets during a 35-10 loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

"I do not have an explanation," Kittle said. "I think I ran six more routes the rest of the day."

Snowy conditions certainly played a role in his limited usage, but the star tight end still only recorded the fourth-most targets among 49ers players during the loss.

While Kittle provides value as a run blocker, San Francisco's rushing attack wasn't enough to sustain the team's offense after Christian McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury in the second quarter of the game.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who threw for just 94 yards, discussed Kittle's involvement following the defeat.

"I thought we had some good plays drawn up," Purdy said, via Maiocco. "It's tough with the conditions. We were running the ball so well, and when we did have the opportunities to throw the ball, the reads just didn't get me to George."

Establishing a consistent passing offense with snow falling is no easy task, but utilizing a big target with sure hands such as Kittle in the middle of the field could have provided a spark. The 31-year-old has caught a career-high 82 percent of his targets this season.

For the Bills, Allen recorded 148 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Buffalo's leading receiver was tight end Dawson Knox, who amassed a season-high 56 yards on two catches.

Fantasy managers shouldn't put too much stock into Kittle's subpar output on Sunday, as all signs are pointing toward the weather limiting his impact.

With three of San Francisco's final five games at home to go along with road contests in Miami and Arizona, the five-time Pro Bowl tight end should remain a staple of fantasy lineups as well as a key piece of the 49ers' offense.