The San Francisco 49ers fall behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. Losers of three straight contests, it was Seattle's thrilling loss in Week 11 that propelled Kyle Shanahan's team to its current winning streak. The 49ers are in last place at 5-7 and suffered a major setback with Sunday's embarrassing loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Superstar running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a potentially season-ending PCL injury. Jordan Mason, who did an admirable job for McCaffrey earlier this season, also suffered a severe ankle sprain that has already sent him to the IR and ruled him out for at least four contests. As a result, the 49ers will hand the keys to their backfield to rookie running back Isaac Guerendo. They also recently claimed Israel Abanikanda off the New York Jets.
The RB Israel claimed Abanikanda off waivers .
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero)
The 49ers drafted Guerendo in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Louisville star has rushed for 246 yards and two touchdowns on 42 carries this season. He averages an explosive 5.9 yards per carry. Guerendo rushed the Seahawks 99 yards earlier in the year, including a 76-yard gain late in the fourth quarter, the second-longest run in the league this season.
The Jets selected Abanikanda in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he never lived up to expectations. Breece Hall is the Jets' go-to guy and rookie Braelon Allen quickly took over the change-of-pace role. This could be Abanikanda's last chance to establish himself as an nfl-caliber player.
The 49ers will not face the Seahawks in the NFC West this season.
