SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS NEWS

Claimed by 49ers San Francisco claimed Abanikanda off waivers Tuesday.

Impact Despite being on the 53-man roster, Abanikanda was inactive for each of the Jets' 12 regular-season games before being waived Monday. With Christian McCaffrey (knee) placed on injured reserve and Jordan Mason (ankle) set to follow suit, Abanikanda should see meaningful playing time as the 49ers' backup running back behind fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo while Patrick Taylor is available to be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. Abanikanda appeared in six regular-season games for the Jets in 2023 and logged 22 carries for 70 yards while adding seven catches (on 11 targets) for 43 yards.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on IR The 49ers placed McCaffrey (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact Just as head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Monday would be the case, McCaffrey was moved off the 53-man roster after the running back suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee during Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills. Shanahan said that McCaffrey will likely need around six weeks to recover from the injury, so he'll miss the rest of the regular season and may return to action only if the 5-7 49ers make a surprise playoff run. McCaffrey should be back to full strength for the offseason program and will be entering the final guaranteed year of his contract in 2025. After spending the first nine weeks of the season on IR while recovering from a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis, McCaffrey appeared in just four games in 2024, failing to score a touchdown while carrying 50 times for 202 yards and recording 15 receptions for 146 yards on 19 targets.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Will have practice window opened Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Hufanga (wrist) will be designated for return from injured reserve this week, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The move will likely become official at some point this week, and Hufanga's 21-day practice window will be opened. Shanahan had previously said in October that it was "not a sure thing" Hufanga would play again this season after he was placed on injured reserve Oct. 9. Hufanga suffered ligament damage in the wrist in Week 5. He's played in just two games this season.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Modest production in blowout loss Campbell recorded five tackles (three solo) during Sunday's 35-10 loss at Buffalo.

Impact Despite playing a healthy 40 defensive snaps Sunday, Campbell failed to tally seven tackles for the first time since Week 7 versus the Chiefs. He's still narrowly on pace for his third 100-tackle season as a pro heading into a Week 14 tilt versus the Bears.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Plays every snap in return Ward recorded five tackles (two solo) during Sunday's 35-10 loss at Buffalo.

Impact Ward had sat out the 49ers' previous three games due to a serious personal matter, but he resumed his regular every-down role Sunday. He figures as San Francisco's top cornerback for the rest of the season as long as he's available.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Sticks in starting role Sunday Green recorded six tackles (five solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 35-10 loss at Buffalo.

Impact Even with Charvarius Ward returning from an extended absence, Green was on the field for all 56 of the 49ers' defensive snaps in Week 13. He appears to have earned the starting role opposite Ward at the expense of Isaac Yiadom moving forward.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Leads 9ers in tackles Sunday Brown recorded eight tackles (five solo) during Sunday's 35-10 loss at Buffalo.

Impact In what was a dismal day for San Francisco as a whole, Brown at least tied his season-high tackle total. He figures to remain in an every-down role next to rookie fourth-rounder Malik Mustapha at least until Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) is available to play again.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

QB Stock Market Week 14: Joe Burrow deserves better; Caleb Williams knows better

The MVP is Josh Allen's to lose. Joe Burrow can't win. Can the Vikings, with Sam Darnold? Here are Henry McKenna's latest QB rankings.

DECEMBER 3

49ers are nearing rock bottom following a blowout loss and the injury to McCaffrey

Back-to-back blowout losses and another injury to star back Christian McCaffrey might just be the final blow to the dwindling playoff hopes for the San Francisco 49ers

DECEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

49ers' Trent Williams and his wife say their son was stillborn

The San Francisco 49ers were hit by another family tragedy with the announcement that star left tackle Trent Williams’ wife gave birth to a...

DECEMBER 2

QB Josh Allen and coach Sean McDermott deserve credit in Bills latest AFC East-clinching season

Quarterback Josh Allen and coach Sean McDermott deserve credit in overcoming lowered expectations in leading the Buffalo Bills to clinch their fifth straight AFC East title with fi...

DECEMBER 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey headed to IR with an injured right knee

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey will not need surgery on his injured right knee but he will miss the rest of the regular season

DECEMBER 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out for the year Givens tore his pectoral muscle in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.

Impact Givens played three defensive snaps and recorded one total tackle in the first half of Sunday's blowout loss before sustaining a season-ending pectoral injury. The 27-year-old appeared in eight games this year, recording 11 total tackles, including 3.5 sacks. With Givens missing the remainder of 2024, expect Kalia Davis to serve as San Francisco's top backup interior defensive lineman.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

In line for RB1 duties With Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) in line to be placed on injured reserve, Guerendo is expected to take over as the 49ers' starting running back, Adam Scheft...

Impact McCaffrey will miss at least the remainder of the regular season with his sprained PCL, and Mason is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. The injuries vault Guerendo to the top of the depth chart. The rookie has seen limited work as a rookie this season, but he's averaged a crisp 5.9 yards per carry on his 42 totes, turning them into 246 yards and two touchdowns. He's added five catches for 19 yards on six targets. Guerendo is a size-speed specimen at 6-foot and 221 pounds with a 4.33 forty-yard dash time. He will be the top waiver-wire priority in fantasy leagues this week.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

49ers' Christian McCaffrey to be placed on IR after suffering PCL injury

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey's season might be over as he, along with backup running back Jordan Mason, will be placed on injured...

DECEMBER 2

Sent to IR with sprained ankle The 49ers placed Mason (ankle) on injured reserve Monday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Mason suffered a high-ankle sprain late in Sunday night's loss to the Bills. After Christian McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury to his knee in the first half, Mason took on a larger offensive role versus Buffalo, finishing with 13 carries for 78 yards. But he's now going to be sidelined until at least Week 18. The moves of CMC and Mason to injured reserve vaults Isaac Guerendo into the 49ers' RB1 spot. Guerendo will be a priority waiver-wire pickup in fantasy leagues this week. Patrick Taylor will likely be promoted from the practice squad this week to serve as the Niners' backup running back over the next month.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to IR, out at least six weeks The 49ers placed McCaffrey (knee) on injured reserve Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday that McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury in his knee, and he will be sidelined at least six weeks, Rapoport added. CMC was injured in the first half of Sunday night's eventual loss to the Bills, and he's now going to miss at least the rest of the regular season. In addition, McCaffrey's backup, Jordan Mason, suffered a high-ankle sprain against Buffalo and was also placed on injured reserve Monday, knocking him out until at least Week 18. It vaults Isaac Guerendo into the 49ers' RB1 spot atop the depth chart, making him a priority add in all fantasy leagues. Patrick Taylor is currently on the team's practice squad but will likely be promoted this week.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Schrager's Cheat Sheet: Best Bills team ever? Bears' dark-horse HC candidate

Peter Schrager weighs in on the Bills' quest for the top seed in the AFC, Saquon Barkley's historic run and a surprising candidate to keep a...

DECEMBER 2

Struggles in snow storm Moody went 1-for-3 on field-goal attempts while hitting his only point-after try in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills.

Impact Moody missed multiple attempts for the second time in four weeks, shanking kicks from 45 and 55 yards out respectively. The kicker's last blunderous outing came in calm conditions, but a harsh snow storm in Buffalo was likely the culprit this time around. The sophomore has missed just one FGA in his seven other active games this season, leading to a decent 76 percent make rate through nine total contests. Moody should resume his consistent play with a pair of home tilts on tap in sunny Santa Clara, CA, starting with the Bears next Sunday.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Just one target in snowy loss Pearsall failed to bring in his lone target in Sunday's 35-10 loss to Buffalo.

Impact Pearsall was on the field for 35 offensive snaps (73 percent), but his lack of involvement likely had more to do with the harsh weather conditions this time around. That said, the rookie slot man hasn't recorded a reception (three targets) in three consecutive games since his breakout performance in Week 10. Pearsall should be more involved as the season progresses given the 49ers' injury issues and a steady role averaging well over 30 snaps on offense in every active game. The receiver's next opportunity to prove himself will come in a soft home matchup against the Bears next Sunday.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Rips off 15-yard touchdown Guerendo took four carries for 19 yards and a touchdown while losing three yards on his only reception in Sunday's 35-10 loss to the Bills.

Impact Guerendo got some extra run in the second half after starter Christian McCaffrey (knee) left the game due to injury at halftime. Jordan Mason (13-78-0) took over as the primary rusher from there on out, but Guerendo benefited from scoring the 49ers' only offensive touchdown in the blowout loss. Mason is the name to grab on waivers this week, but he showed some durability issues handling the starter's role earlier this season in addition to being evaluated for a concussion against Buffalo. Guerendo is more of a stash option for next Sunday's tilt against the Bears, but he carries some appeal for those in deeper leagues with CMC likely done for the year.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE