Fastrack · 49ers Lose Christian McCaffrey to Thigh Injury vs. Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons beat the San Francisco 49ers 29-20 on Sunday. The loss ended San Francisco's unbeaten start.

4 turnovers by San Francisco, a season high for Atlanta's defense.
2 interceptions by Brock Purdy, matching his season total entering the game.
47 seconds remained when George Kittle fumbled, ending the 49ers' comeback attempt.
100 scrimmage yards for Christian McCaffrey despite a first-half thigh injury.

Why it matters: San Francisco played without much of its roster. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the team might not reach 48 game-day players.

Out: receivers Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall and De'Zhaun Stribling.
Defensive end Nick Bosa has not played since Week 2.
Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels had an interception and fumble recovery late.

The story so far

2 steps · since Oct 24

Oct 2449ers Lose Christian McCaffrey to Thigh Injury vs. FalconsYou are here
Oct 25Falcons Upset 49ers for First Loss of Season7 sourcesLatest

How 9 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 9 sources

9 sources · 20 articles · 45% Center coverage

Where they split: Fox News reports the 49ers enter a bye week, while Newsweek reports they play the Raiders next Sunday.

Center coverage, 4 sources: The center focuses on how injuries and turnovers undid the 49ers, and on what McCaffrey's absence meant.

USA Today6hChristian McCaffrey injury update as 49ers exits vs. Falcons Heavy1hKyler Shanahan Addresses Eddy Pineiro’s 49ers Future After 7th Missed Kick Newsweek2hChristian McCaffrey Makes NFL History During 49ers-Falcons Game Reuters6h49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (thigh) exits in first half

Left coverage, 2 sources: The left-rated local paper frames the game around Raheem Morris returning to face the Falcons team that fired him and players he coached.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution1dAtlanta Falcons can beat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Here’s how.San Francisco Chronicle2d49ers-Falcons: Will banged-up Niners make big moves at trade deadline?

Right coverage, 3 sources: The right centers on the 49ers' depleted roster before the game and on Kittle's late fumble as the deciding mistake.

Fox News21h49ers may have fewer than 48 players available against Falcons amid injury wave, coach Kyle Shanahan says New York Post6hChristian McCaffrey is 49ers' latest star to enter injury tent OutKick1hKendal Daniels goes from stretcher to game-sealing fumble recovery in Falcons' win over 49ers

What’s next: The 49ers still lead the NFC West at 6-1. The Seattle Seahawks are 3-3.

McCaffrey returned after halftime, but the extent of his thigh injury is unclear.
Do the 49ers have a bye next week, or do they face the Raiders?
How long will the receiver injuries keep Purdy without his main targets?