Injuries continue to mount across the NFL, and with Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror – and playoff spots already secured – everything is being done to get healthy for the long run. But some teams that were considered playoff contenders at the start of the year have had their seasons derailed by visits to the dugout.

The 49ers – already without Trent Williams, Nick Bosa and Deommodore Lenoir – had Christian McCaffrey retire from Sunday night’s crushing loss to Buffalo after suffering an injury that didn’t look good. He hasn’t returned and now there are fears his season – already shortened due to Achilles tendonitis in both legs – may be over. Also in Jacksonville, the Jaguars await more news about franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who took an ugly, illegal hit on Sunday that resulted in him being carted off the field and Azeez Al-Shaair being ejected.

Christian McCaffrey is suffering a PCL injury that could end his season

Christian McCaffrey’s 2024 season could be over almost as quickly as it began. According to head coach Kyle, he was coming off of his team’s Sunday Night Football loss to the Bills – a game in which he put up big numbers with seven runs for 53 yards in the early going – which, according to head coach Kyle, resulted in a PCL injury Shanahan. He added that the injury would “potentially” mean the end of the season.

McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the season due to tendinitis in both Achilles tendons. The 49ers’ key offensive players – Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk (who is playing on IR), Brock Purdy, George Kittle and McCaffrey – have all been missing on the injured list this season, in addition to All-Pro tackle Trent Williams is currently out and important stars are missing in defense. San Francisco now needs a minor miracle at 5-7 and 1-3 in the NFC West to sneak into the playoffs after appearing in the last three NFC Championship games.

Trevor Lawrence suffers a concussion

The ugly blow to Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence is sure to be talked about extensively this week, and the impact on Texas linebacker Azeez Al-Shair will be felt around the league. But the 2-10 Jaguars — who were 9-8 last year and underperformed in 2024 — were without their franchise signal-caller.

Lawrence, who is in the first year of a five-year, $275 million extension, did not return to the game after showing the on-field fencing reaction after the goal – although he posted it on social media after the game feel better and rest at home. With the Jags struggling this season and Doug Pederson’s job potentially in jeopardy, it’s worth watching to see if the Jaguars will be cautious against Lawrence as the season comes to a close and the club falls to the bottom of the AFC South and the NFL Draft is heading towards the top this spring.