The San Francisco 49ers were dealt a whopper of a last-minute injury to deal with ahead of the team’s Monday night opener, with two-time All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey being ruled out with an Achilles injury.
The former Stanford Cardinal star is coming off a career year where he posted new highs for rushing yards (1,459), and receiving touchdowns (seven), finishing as the AP Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts.
While we’re not sure how long McCaffrey will be out, San Francisco fans can rest easier knowing that his backup (Jordan Mason) is more than capable of shouldering the load, with the third-year back running for 147 yards and a touchdown in the Niners’ 32-19 win over the New York Jets in Week 1.
As for next weekend, the 49ers are currently listed as a six-point road favorite on Bet365 over the 1-0 Minnesota Vikings in a game that kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific time on Sunday.
To get a sense of the impact that McCaffrey has had on the teams he’s played for since entering the league in 2017, BetCalifornia.com used its California sports betting mindset and broke down the numbers on how the Carolina Panthers and 49ers have fared in his absence.
How Do Teams Perform When Christian McCaffrey Is Injured?
| With McCaffrey | Without McCaffrey |
W-L Record | 50-40 | 7-18 |
Win Percentage | 0.556 | 0.280 |
Average PPG | 23.9 PPG | 19.5 PPG |
Once California sports betting apps are finally legal, information like this could prove to be a useful tool before you place your 49ers wagers.
How Do McCaffrey’s Teams Fare Without Him?
In a word, not good. Carolina and San Francisco have gone a combined 7-18 (.280) without McCaffrey between 2017 and 2024, averaging 19.5 points per game on offense in those contests.
Compare that win percentage with the 50-40 (.556) figure that the Panthers and Niners have put up with the three-time Pro Bowler in the lineup and you get a sense of the immense impact that McCaffrey has on the teams he suits up for.
For now, Niners fans can only hope that Mason can continue his hot start for however long McCaffrey is out for, with the early returns on the third year back out of Georgia Tech suggesting that such an outcome is easier to believe than it was a mere 24 hours ago.
Unfortunately, online sports betting is not yet legal in the Golden State, however, these California online casino alternatives provide a fun and engaging experience with attractive offers.
USA Today photo by David Gonzales.
Author
Christopher Boan is the lead writer at BetCalifornia.com, specializing in sports betting issues in the western United States. He's covered sports and sports betting in Arizona for more than seven years, including stops at ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.
