ATLANTA (AP) — San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey left the game Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons with a thigh injury but was able to return in the second half.
Now he's got two weeks to make sure he's fully recovered for a team already dealing with a rash of injuries.
The 49ers are heading into a bye week, which should ease any concerns about McCaffrey's health.
“It looked all right,” coach Kyle Shanahan said after the Niners took the first loss of the season, a 29-20 setback in Atlanta.
McCaffrey was injured after giving San Francisco an early lead with a 1-yard touchdown leap on fourth down to cap their opening possession.
The three-time All-Pro running back was checked out in the injury tent, then came back out to do some running on the sideline with his helmet on. He didn’t return in the first half, however, jogging to the locker room before the break.
McCaffrey returned to the field for San Francisco's first possession of the second half, with the 49ers trailing 19-14. He was dropped for a 2-yard loss on his first carry and wasn't nearly as productive as he had been before the injury.
McCaffrey was a big contributor on San Francisco's first drive with two catches for 40 yards and four carries for 29 yards. It wasn't immediately clear how he was injured, but he went out after catching a 5-yard pass from Brock Purdy to begin the 49ers' second possession.
In the second half, McCaffrey was limited to three carries for 10 yards — though his longest gain was largely negated by a holding penalty. He also had three catches for 16 yards.
McCaffrey wasn't involved in the biggest issue of the day for the 49ers (6-1), who fell from the unbeaten ranks largely because of four turnovers.
“We were moving the ball well, feel like we’re running the ball really well and stuff like that,” said Purdy, who threw a pair of interceptions. “And then all of a sudden it’s like a couple of plays can make you feel like, ‘Dang, we’re not doing our job and stuff.’ And obviously the most important thing is protecting the football. It’s the number one thing really in our organization.”
San Francisco has dealt with a rash of injuries over the past several seasons. They faced the Falcons without the top five — yes, five — receivers on the depth chart, headed by the absence of Mike Evans (Achilles/rib) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring).
“Has that ever happened before in the history of the NFL?” tight end George Kittle asked reporters.
With McCaffrey on the sideline, Kaelon Black took over as the lead running back. He had a 30-yard touchdown run that gave San Francisco a 14-3 lead, but also lost a crucial fumble at the Atlanta 29 with the 49ers in position to add more points. Black finished with 63 yards on 12 carries.
Kittle also had a fumble in the final minute that finished off any thoughts of an improbable comeback.
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