San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a thigh injury late in the first quarter but later returned to the game as San Francisco suffered its first defeat of the season in a 29-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The 49ers, who were already without offensive weapons Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, were leaning heavily on McCaffrey early on and he delivered helping San Francisco score on its opening drive with 69 all-purpose yards.
"It sucks because I feel like I was going on a run there," McCaffrey said. "My leg just died on me, just tried to get it going for the whole rest of the game. It just sucks having to play like that. I know I'll be alright, but it's just really frustrating."
A lot of the frustration from
McCaffrey seems to stems his effectiveness early on. In the moments leading up to the first half injury, McCaffrey looked to have one of those shoulder-carrying performances in which he does it all for the Niners on offense.
McCaffrey had four carries for 29 yards and a touchdown and added two catches for 40 yards on the 49ers' first possession.
"Adrenaline's going and everything's going, I came back to the sideline and it just slowly started to hurt," he said. "I'll be fine. I'm not worried about it. It just sucks today because that was one of those ones where I just felt like I got going."
He did all he could on the sidelines to stay ready. He stretched, utilized the elliptical bicycle on the sideline and did whatever he could to back to 100%. McCaffrey jogged to the locker room and later returned in the second half, but his play took a noticeable dip. The All-Pro running back finished with 39 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards.
"I was just trying to keep it warm and not make it worst. But, it's only so much you can do to get back to where you want to be but I'll be fine. I know that," McCaffrey said. "I'll be alright. I know I'll get this thing back and be ready."
McCaffrey's injury comes as the 49ers enter their Week 8 bye, giving the San Francisco time off to recover from injuries and prep for the next part of the season which begins with a home matchup welcoming the Las Vegas Raiders back to the Bay Area on Nov. 8
The 10-year veteran running back has put up 350 yards and 7 touchdowns on 77 carries and 28 catches for 190 receiving yards through seven games in the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christian McCaffrey says his 'leg just died' in 49ers loss to Falcons
