The start of the 2025 season has already been an uphill climb for the 1-3 Charlotte 49ers, and now the team faces additional adversity with two key offensive starters done for the remainder of the year.
Head coach Tim Albin confirmed in his Tuesday press conference that starting quarterback Conner Harrell and starting running back Henry Rutledge will not return this season after suffering injuries in the first four games.
Lower body injury straight brace and crutches
“Conner is out for the remainder of the year,” Albin said. “He’s scheduled to have surgery in the coming days, along with Henry Rutledge who will be out for the remainder of the year. It is what it is. Next man up mentality.”
Rutledge only participated in one of the 49ers’ first four contests, marred by an ongoing lower-body injury. The running back — expected to rise into his most prominent role in 2025 — earned two carries for 11 yards in Week 2 against North Carolina but didn’t suit up in the week before or two weeks following. Charlotte has instead operated with Rod Gainey Jr. and CJ Stokes as the lead backs in the run game.
Harrell’s injury occurred in the second quarter against Rice on a 3rd and 18 where he converted with a 19-yard pickup on a QB draw. Right upon converting, he took near-simultaneous hits from Owl defenders, knocking him down on the sideline. The quarterback immediately grabbed his left knee and missed the remainder of the contest. In the second half, he was observed on the sideline with crutches and wearing a straight brace. Albin didn’t confirm anything more specific than “lower-body injury” in regard to Harrell’s ailment.
Harrell started each of the first four contests for Charlotte, joining the program this offseason after spending 2024 at North Carolina. He impressed in the 49ers’ lone win thus far, contributing 382 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, 47 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns in a 42-35 shootout against FCS Monmouth.
Occupying the quarterback spot now is Duke transfer Grayson Loftis, who finished the Rice game with 186 passing yards and a touchdown on a 15-of-31 showing. Loftis isn’t new to a starting role. In 2023, he started five games in place of the injured Riley Leonard, notably leading the Blue Devils to a Birmingham Bowl victory over Sun Belt champion Troy.
“Grayson stepped in in a tough environment and the score had us probably throw more than what we want to as an offense,” Albin said. “This will be his first start for us here at Charlotte, but he’s started games before and he’s had a good week of practice.”
Harrell and Loftis vary in their skillsets. The North Carolina transfer presents more in the mobility department than his Duke counterpart, but Albin isn’t planning too drastic of a schematic shift with a more traditional pocket passer. Albin, who worked with countless mobile quarterbacks at Ohio, believes in Loftis presents the ability to command a similar style of offense.
“We’re gonna ultimately call the plays that get called to win the game,” Albin said. “When the injury occurred, it was a third-and-long and a quarterback draw call. It was a called play. We blocked very well and executed very well. You’ll still see some of that with Grayson. We’re gonna call the plays that we need to. Does he have the extra step that Conner has? Probably not. But according to the GPS that we wear every day, he’s been clocked the fastest at over 20 miles per hour straight line speed. I’m sure (offensive coordinator) Todd (Fitch) will have some things we’ll do a little bit differently, but you won’t see us in the I-formation under center, running lead draw and lead draw pass.”
Loftis will make his first start with Charlotte this Friday night as the 49ers leave their city for the first time in 2025. The 49ers travel to Tampa to face South Florida, which resides on the fringe of the rankings.
