McCaffrey returns after thigh injury in 49ers loss

Christian McCaffrey returned after halftime against the Atlanta Falcons after leaving the San Francisco 49ers’ game with a thigh injury, but said afterward he did not know its severity. The 49ers lost 29-20, their first defeat of the 2026 season. The team announced during the first half that McCaffrey had a thigh injury and was questionable to return. He went to the locker room before halftime, then came back for San Francisco’s first possession of the second half. His return did not mean he was back to full strength: he said he was unable to play at 100 percent and had to operate at a slower speed. McCaffrey said his leg had “died” on him and that he was frustrated because he had felt poised to have a strong game. He also said he was not worried and expected to be fine. Those were his own assessments; he said he still did not know the injury’s severity, and the reports provided no medical diagnosis or subsequent confirmation of recovery. The running back opened the game with a 1-yard touchdown leap on San Francisco’s first drive. He left during the next possession after catching a pass and receiving treatment on the sideline. McCaffrey returned after the break, but his first...