"It was just bad ball," McCaffrey told reporters after the game. "I think it starts with each individual. And myself, I just gotta be better."
McCaffrey managed only 31 rushing yards on 11 carries, far from the dynamic player who earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors last season. While the running back insists he's healthy after missing time earlier this season due to Achilles tendinitis, his recent performances suggest he's still searching for his usual explosiveness.
The 49ers were also without their offensive leader, quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed the game with a shoulder injury sustained the previous week. Purdy's availability for this weekend's matchup against the Buffalo Bills remains uncertain.
In Purdy's absence, veteran quarterback Brandon Allen stepped in, making his first start since 2021 and his starting debut as a Niner.
"I thought he did a great job, and we got to be a lot better for him," McCaffrey said. "I have to be a lot better for him, no matter who's at quarterback."
The loss dropped San Francisco to 5-6 on the season. While the 49ers' playoff hopes aren't quite dead yet, the road ahead will be an uphill battle. Fortunately, the NFC West remains tightly contested, with just one game separating first and last place in the division.
"There's always a fight," McCaffrey emphasized. "It's one game at a time. Each day, you've gotta wake up, look yourself in the mirror, and get better, whether you win or lose. And speaking for me, personally, that's what I'm gonna do."
Meanwhile, some fans have been calling for running back Jordan Mason to see more snaps. They hope he can spark the struggling offense and help lighten McCaffrey's workload as he works to regain his form.
With another tough road matchup ahead, it remains to be seen if the 49ers might adjust their backfield approach.
Related News
Nobody's perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article?
Report it.
Report it.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
George Kittle reveals Kyle Shanahan's message to 49ers after frustrating loss to Packers
San Francisco 49ers players were visibly dejected while speaking to reporters after Sunday's demoralizing 38-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel declined to talk with the media after a frustrating one-catch performance. "It's probably one of the... -
49ers GM addresses struggles of Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel
On Monday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed wide receiver Deebo Samuel's underwhelming performances this season. Samuel has struggled to make a significant impact on the field, prompting questions about his role in the offense. "I think he has the burst... -
Recap: Shorthanded 49ers buried by Packers in 38-10 loss
The San Francisco 49ers walked into Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Sunday with a roster decimated by injuries, and what they were left to work with was not nearly enough to avoid stumbling into what would become their worst loss of the 2024 season. On a day where they were... -
Brandon Allen downplays broken finger in loss to Packers; 49ers injuries pile up
It wasn't widely known that Brandon Allen had been dealing with a broken finger until he took the field at Lambeau with a brace on the middle finger of his non-throwing hand. The FOX broadcast revealed that the injury occurred weeks ago during practice when Allen took a hard...