Christian McCaffrey’s Self Injury Update Is Not What 49ers Want to Hear

The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first loss of the season to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. But arguably even worse, the 49ers may be adding another player to a future injury report after running back Christian McCaffrey had a thigh injury in the first quarter.

McCaffrey warmed up on the sidelines for the remainder of the first half, but returned after halftime. He described what happened when speaking to reporters after the game.

"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 was more frustrated that he felt like he was going to have a really great game before the injury.

"Adrenaline's going and everything's going, I came back to the sideline and it just slowly started to hurt," McCaffrey 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."

So, what does this mean for McCaffrey moving forward? Is it an injury fans need to be concerned about?

McCaffrey still didn't know the severity of his injury after the game, but the terminology he used to describe what happened didn't sit well with fans, understandably.

"I have no idea. It sucks cause I feel like I was going on a run," McCaffrey said. "My leg just died on me. I was trying to get it going for the whole rest of the game, but it just sucks trying to play like that. I know I'll be alright, but it's just really frustrating."

McCaffrey is no stranger to dealing with injuries. It seems like every season the utility player misses time for one injury or another. He did play an entire season last year. So, if this thigh injury does force him to miss time, he knows best how to recover and come back stronger.

Even though he played a shortened game, McCaffrey recorded 39 rushing yards and one touchdown on seven carries, along with catching six passes for 61 yards. His rushing touchdown was the 70th in his career, making him the second player behind Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk to record at least 70 rushing touchdowns and 30 receiving touchdowns in their career.