McCaffrey and Lawrence ruled out: What it means for 49ers, Jaguars
Christian McCaffrey and Trevor Lawrence have been officially ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season due to significant injuries. McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers’ star running back, suffered a torn PCL during the team’s Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills, sidelining him for six weeks.
Meanwhile, Lawrence, quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, sustained a concussion and an AC joint injury in his left shoulder during a Week 13 game against the Houston Texans, leading the team to place him on injured reserve. Both players’ absences mark critical setbacks for their teams as the season progresses.
Christian McCaffrey’s season has been nothing short of a nightmare. He started the year battling Achilles tendinitis in both legs, keeping him out for the first eight games. When he finally returned in Week 10, something still seemed off. No touchdowns. No explosive runs. And then Week 13 happened—a matchup against the Buffalo Bills that went from promising to devastating in a matter of moments.
McCaffrey was finally looking like himself early in the game, picking up 58 yards on his first six carries. But in the second quarter, he took a hard hit to his right knee and didn’t get up the same way. A few plays later, he was limping off the field, and it was over. Torn PCL. Done for the year.
The injury timeline is clear: six weeks minimum for a torn PCL, but with the 49ers’ playoff hopes dwindling, there’s no point in rushing him back. McCaffrey will spend the next few months focusing on recovery, aiming to return stronger for the 2025 season.
For San Francisco, it’s a brutal loss. A team that started the season as a Super Bowl favorite now sits at the bottom of the NFC West with a 5-7 record. Injuries have piled up—wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, running back Jordan Mason, and now McCaffrey. The odds of them making a playoff run without their offensive cornerstone are slim.
McCaffrey didn’t just stay quiet. He poured his heart out on Instagram, giving fans a raw and personal look at what he’s feeling.
“Football is the greatest game on the planet to me,” he began. “I love that you can find out exactly who you are without ever saying a word. It lifts you up and breaks you down, and it can happen fast. It’s humbling in the best ways.”
He acknowledged the frustration, too. “This wasn’t my year, and sometimes when it rains, it pours. You can feel sorry for yourself and listen to the birds, or you can hold the line.”
It’s classic McCaffrey—grateful, driven, and focused on the future. “I promise I’ll work smarter and harder than ever to come back better from this. I love my teammates, I love the 9ers, and I love football. God doesn’t miss. Onward.”
Trevor Lawrence’s season ended in a way no quarterback wants—carted off the field, unable to finish the game. In Week 13 against the Houston Texans, Lawrence took a brutal hit from linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair while sliding after a short gain. It was enough to leave him visibly shaken, later confirmed as a concussion.
But the concussion wasn’t the only issue. Lawrence also aggravated an AC joint injury in his non-throwing shoulder. It’s the same shoulder that sidelined him earlier this year. The Jaguars made it official that Lawrence would undergo season-ending surgery.
The timeline for recovery depends on the surgery, but it’s clear Lawrence won’t be back in 2024. The Jaguars, sitting at 2-10, don’t have much to play for anyway. Protecting their franchise QB is the priority. Expect him to return fully healthy for the 2025 season, with plenty of time to rehab and reset.
For the 49ers, losing McCaffrey is the final blow in a season that never gained traction. A team once considered a Super Bowl contender is now staring at a rebuild. Meanwhile, the Jaguars will lean on backup Mac Jones, who’s had a rough go this season with two touchdowns and three interceptions in limited appearances. Jacksonville’s season is over in every sense of the word.
But there’s a bigger picture here. Teams like the Eagles, Lions, and even the Cowboys benefit from San Francisco’s collapse. In the AFC, contenders like the Chiefs and Ravens are breathing easier knowing Jacksonville won’t pose a threat. The NFL season moves fast. For McCaffrey and Trevor Lawrence, it’s all about 2025 now.
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