In a time of desperate need, the 49ers turned to an unexpected source for help.
San Francisco acquired running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the Jets due to a series of injuries in their backfield.
The team announced the transaction by placing Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve once again, this time with a PCL sprain sustained in the recent loss to the Bills.
McCaffrey is expected to be out for approximately six weeks, likely ending his regular season.
In addition to McCaffrey’s injury, his backup, Jordan Mason, suffered a high ankle sprain, leading to Coach Kyle Shanahan announcing Mason’s expected placement on the IR, causing him to miss at least four games.
With Elijah Mitchell already on IR since August due to a hamstring injury, Isaac Guerendo was left as the only healthy running back on the 49ers’ active roster.
Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick from Pittsburgh in 2023, appeared in six regular-season games last year with the Jets.
The Brooklyn native rushed for 70 yards on 22 carries and had seven receptions for 43 yards.
Abanikanda, 22, was not active for any of the Jets’ 12 games this season and was waived by the team on Monday.
The 49ers began the season with hopes of a championship after narrowly missing out on a Super Bowl win against the Chiefs in 2024.
However, a string of injuries at crucial positions has led the team to a 5-7 record, with NFL.com giving them only an eight percent chance of making the postseason.
San Francisco will face the Bears on Sunday as they aim to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in the NFC.
