NFL
Why isn’t Christian McCaffrey playing for the 49ers against the Cardinals in week 18?
Running back McCaffrey has been both one of the reasons for and one of the victims of San Francisco’s poor form in 2024.
The 2024 NFL season has been a monumental disappointment for the San Francisco 49ers, who face the Arizona Cardinals in their last game of the season. Just 10 months ago, the Niners were facing the Chiefs at Super Bowl LVIII but now Kyle Shanahan’s team are 6-10, occupy last place in the NFC West and are eliminated from postseason contention with one game left to play.
To make matters worse, and to partly explain their struggles, they have been without Christian McCaffrey, the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and their top receiver Brandon Aiyuk for much of the campaign.
Which 49ers games will McCaffrey miss?
A calf strain kept McCaffrey sidelined throughout the whole preseason and he missed the first eight games of the season due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis. He returned in Week 10 for the matchup against the Bucs but lasted another three games before being placed on injured reserve.
The 28-year-old suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills which will keep him out of action for a total of six weeks. With the 49ers not reaching the playoffs, that means the former Carolina Panthers star won’t play again until the 2025 season.
McCaffrey will miss the week 18 game at the Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, Jan. 5). Unfortunately for McCaffrey and the Niners, he needn’t worry about being back for the playoffs, which start on Jan. 11.
49ers latest injury report against the Cardinals week 18
The 49ers have a long list of players who are either ruled out, on IR or questionable for week 18:
- Spencer Burford OT - IR
- Demetrius Flanniga-Fowles LB - IR
- Robert Beal Jr. DE - out
- Isaac Yiadom CB - questionable
- Deommodre Lenoir CB - out
- Ji'Ayir Brown S - questionable
- George Kittle TE - questionable
- Brock Purdy QB - out
- Deebo Samuel WR - out
- Colton McKivitz OT - questionable
- Dre Greenlaw LB - IR
- Aaron Banks G - IR
- Tent Williams OT - IR
- Jalon Moore G - IR
- Ben Bartch G - IR
- Geroge Oduml S - IR
- Jordan Mason RB - IR
- Kevin Givens DT - IR
- Chirsitan McCaffrey RB - IR
- Jon Feliciano G - IR
- Mitch Wishnowsky P - IR
- Brandon Aiyuk WR - IR
- Curtis Robinson LB - IR
- Javon Hargrave DT - IR
The 49ers eliminated from 2024 playoffs
The Niners' playoff hopes were ended before their week 16 game against the Dolphins, which they lost anyway.
The Californians are now in a straight fight with the Arizona Cardinals to avoid finishing bottom of the NFC West. Two victories will see San Francisco finish third, while two defeats will ensure they finish dead last.
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