Key:
Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco | Knee | Likely Season-Ending
The Christian McCaffrey roller coaster may have finally come to an end. The ride was not fun, and the ending may be even less enjoyable. McCaffrey started Sunday night's game well, but his night was short-lived. While taking a handoff, McCaffrey game himself up and appeared to be dealing with an apparent right leg injury.
yikes --- Christian McCaffrey pic.twitter.com/RiwvgHWpjU
— ??O ?OOT???? ?O????? ? (@NFL_Journal) December 2, 2024
Video showed that McCaffrey likely injured himself a few plays prior. His mechanism of injury fit that of a PCL sprain - very similar to the one Dalton Kincaid suffered earlier in Week 10.
The previous #CMC play is likely where knee injury happens. Worry for right knee PCL sprain on shoestring tackle. The next run, he doesn't feel right and goes down. pic.twitter.com/aeQfmoS53x
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 2, 2024
PCL sprains vary in severity and thus the return to play timeline can also have a wide range. Minor sprains result in 0-2 weeks missed. More serious sprains can be 6+ weeks. Full tears require season-ending surgery. It sounds like McCaffrey's knee injury is serious.
After the game, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that McCaffrey's season might very well be over.
Kyle Shanahan said Christian McCaffrey suffered a potentially season-ending PCL injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
The 49ers will hopefully provide some clarification but even without a full tear, a serious sprain would end McCaffrey's season considering there are only 5 more games left in the regular season.
Update: The 49ers are reporting McCaffrey will be out at least 6 weeks. He is droppable in all formats.
RB Jordan Mason, San Francisco | Ankle | Likely Season-Ending
In a surprising turn of events Jordan Mason was also placed on IR with an ankle injury. It is possible that Mason has a high ankle sprain or worse that would require 4+ weeks missed or the 49ers are just throwing in the towel. Either way Mason can be dropped in most leagues. Isaac Guerendo should be added in all leagues.
Update: It does sound like Mason is dealing with a high ankle sprain. I think there is a chance he could return in Week 18 but for fantasy purposes that does not mean much.
TE/QB Taysom Hill, New Orleans | Knee | Likely Season-Ending
Taysom Hill's season is likely over after a knee injury during Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. By video, it appeared that Hill suffered an ACL tear and potentially more. Sunday night, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed by suspicion.
#Saints do-it-all TE Taysom Hill, who was carted off today, is feared to have suffered a season-ending knee injury, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 2, 2024
No final diagnosis yet, as he’ll have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. But feared to be significant. A tough blow. pic.twitter.com/4vNFFVE6dw
The Saints will wait for more test results before making an official statement but it would appear that Hill's 2024 season is over.
Update: ACL tear has been confirmed. Hill's season is over.
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