The San Francisco 49ers held their breath late in the second quarter of their divisional round clash with the Seattle Seahawks when star running back Christian McCaffrey came up shaken after a hit. The All-Pro back was seen on the sideline being evaluated by the medical staff, sparking immediate concern across Levi's Stadium and beyond.
Initially, the nature of the injury wasn’t clear, but FOX’s broadcast later revealed that McCaffrey was dealing with a stinger-essentially a nerve injury that can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the shoulder and arm. Not long after, cameras caught him in visible discomfort, clutching his shoulder and wincing as he spoke with trainers. That visual alone was enough to raise red flags about his availability for the rest of the game.
When the 49ers offense took the field to open the second half, McCaffrey was notably absent. No official word came from the team at that moment, but his absence was telling. For a player known for his toughness and relentless motor, not being out there likely meant the pain or risk of further injury was significant.
Then came a glimmer of hope-McCaffrey returned to the game, giving the 49ers a major boost. His presence alone changes the dynamic of San Francisco’s offense.
Whether it’s as a runner, receiver, or decoy, McCaffrey forces defenses to account for him on every snap. Even with the injury scare, his return signaled that he was at least healthy enough to contribute in some capacity.
Still, the situation bears watching. Stingers can vary in severity, and shoulder issues-especially for a running back who takes hits on nearly every touch-can linger or flare up. The 49ers will likely manage his workload carefully moving forward, especially with the stakes only getting higher as the postseason continues.
For now, though, McCaffrey is back on the field, and that’s a win in itself for San Francisco.