Footage shows 49ers' Christian McCaffrey struggling with injury on sideline before being ruled out
Christian McCaffrey's MVP push hit pause on Sunday when the star running back was injured.
Sideline footage showed McCaffrey attempting to warm up while dealing with an oblique issue during the San Francisco 49ers' stunning 19-17 defeat to the Cleveland Browns.
McCaffrey stretched and rotated while kneeling, then bounced and lifted his legs.
While Cleveland found a way to win without franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, the 49ers fell to 5-1 and lost McCaffrey mid game having ran 11 times for 43 yards before exiting the field.
He also caught three passes and recorded his 15th consecutive game with a touchdown, which moved him into a tie with John Riggins and O.J. Simpson for second place in NFL history.
San Francisco QB Brock Purdy was off target against the Browns and appeared to be missing star names Deebo Samuel and McCaffrey.
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“I don’t think we deserved to win," 49ers star defensive end Nick Bosa said. "We didn’t underestimate them, but they did play better than us. We haven’t lost in a long time in the regular season, so it hurts a lot more.”
Purdy was the primary reason that San Francisco's offense struggled.
The second-year QB was just 12-of-27 for 125 yards, one TD, an interception and a 55.3 rating.
Jake Moody missed a last-second, 41-yard field goal wide right to help hand Cleveland (3-2) the win.
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But San Francisco's offense wasn't the same without McCaffrey and Samuel, while Purdy failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities.
“I didn’t play at the standard that I needed to,” Purdy said. "We feel like we failed our own expectations. I just have to be better and make the throws.
"Man, it’s the NFL. When you get opportunities, you’ve got to take care of them. There are plays that we didn’t make.”
McCaffrey was evaluated in the locker room and didn't return to the game, damaging his MVP chances.
He has 553 rushing yards this season with seven TDs, in addition to 23 catches for 177 yards and two TDs.
San Francisco can record a bounce back win on next week's Monday Night Football at Minnesota.
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