49ers RB Christian McCaffrey returns vs. Falcons after going to locker room with thigh injury

The Niners can breathe a sigh of relief with CMC back on the field Oct 25, 2026 at 3:07 pm ET • 2 min read San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has returned to the game against the Atlanta Falcons after going to the locker room with a thigh injury. He was initially listed as questionable, but he was able to come back on the first drive of the third quarter.McCaffrey seemed to aggravate his leg during the first quarter, but he went into the blue medical tent in the second quarter before leaving for the locker room. Before going down with the injury, CMC had four carries for 29 yards and one touchdown in the first half. He added a carry for a loss of two yards in the first attempt back from the locker room. He also has three receptions for 45 yards in the air. So far this season, he has 77 carries for 350 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, along with 28 receptions for 190 yards in the air through six games. McCaffrey is a dual-threat running back in quarterback Brock Purdy's offense and a reliable pass catcher. However, the 30-year-old has a history of injuries. The former Comeback Player of the Year had a PCL sprain, which sidelined him for five games in 2024; a pedal Achilles sprain that sidelined him for eight games the same year; a left calf strain that caused him to miss one game in 2023; and a pedal ankle sprain and thigh hamstring strain each sidelined him for five games in 2021. The 49ers offense is already without wide receivers Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles), Deebo Samuel (hamstring), Demarcus Robinson (IR), De'Zhaun Stribling (IR) and Ricky Pearsall (IR). McCaffrey is a crucial part of this 49ers offense and having him back on the field is great news for the Niners and their fans. The running back room also includes rookie Kaelon Black and second-year RB Jordan James. Black currently leads the team in carries (11) and rushing yards (60) against Atlanta. McCaffrey leads the team in carries and rushing yards this season, with Black behind him and their QB third on the list.With the exception of 2024, when he was limited to four games due to injury, McCaffrey has led the team in rushing yards, including two 1,000-plus yard seasons. In his 10-year career, he has 1,735 rushes for 7,939 yards and 69 rushing touchdowns. McCaffrey was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, when the Carolina Panthers took him at No. 8 overall. He remained in the Queen City until 2022, when he joined the 49ers. The Niners are currently down 19-14 against the Falcons as San Fran looks to stay undefeated. CBS Sports will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.