Former NFL wideout Ed McCaffrey said it was a tough night after his son, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a season-ending PCL injury in a 35-10 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
McCaffrey appeared to suffer a non-contact knee injury when he slid down on a run in the second quarter of a snowy clash in Buffalo and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Though it’s believed McCaffery was hurt on the prior play when his right knee landed hard after a shoestring tackle.
During an appearance on the “Up & Adams” show, the elder McCaffrey explained it was an emotional night for their family — but they are optimistic about the 49ers star’s recovery.
“I feel like someone reached their hand in my chest and pulled out my heart,” he said. “… It was devastating… It was tragic. It was a hard night last night, and a difficult morning… He’ll bounce back.”
The 49ers star suffered a PCL strain and underwent an MRI exam on Monday that determined he will need a six-week recovery — effectively ending his season, San Fransisco coach Kyle Shannahan told reporters.
“Hopefully it’s not too serious and it’s something he can bounce back from pretty quickly,” the elder McCaffrey said before the official news broke. “He’ll do everything he can to get back on the field as quickly as possible.”
The 49ers also placed running back Jordan Mason on IR with an ankle injury, so rookie Isaac Guerendo is expected to be the starter.
The former three-time Super Bowl champ went on to explain that if Christian McCaffrey was healthy enough he would have tried to return this season regardless of the 49ers’ playoff picture.
“I’ve always thought that you’re a professional football player and you’re getting paid to play. So if you’re healthy enough to play, you play, whether you’re going to the playoffs or not,” McCaffrey said.
“Kyle Shanahan wants to win games, so he wants every player that’s healthy on the field at all times. It means a lot, they put a lot of time and effort into this game, so if you’re healthy, you play.”
San Francisco (5-7) is currently at the bottom of the NFC West, but they have a small window to turn around their season.
McCaffrey was ruled out after he limped off of the field to the medical tent in the second quarter.
The All-Pro running back was seen wearing a knee brace and using crutches in the locker room, according to ESPN.
“It was frustrating,” Shanahan said. “He had a great week of practice and I could feel his urgency and stuff and thought he came out great, looking really good, and it looked like he just got his shoestring there. … I hurt for him, and tough for our team not having him.”
Before his injury, McCaffrey had seven carries for 53 yards and two receptions for 14 yards — including season-best rushes of 19 and 18 yards.
That was just McCaffrey’s fourth game this season after he dealt with Achilles tendinitis in both legs and a calf injury.
He missed the 49ers preseason and their first eight games of the season.
McCaffrey looked explosive earlier in the game.
The 49ers (5-7) face the Bears (4-8) in San Francisco on Sunday.