SANTA CLARA — As the 49ers packed in the locker room for Friday’s trip to Tampa, several stopped to console and encourage one of their teammates who’s essentially being left behind this season: running Jerick McKinnon.
Complications from last year’s knee injury sent McKinnon on season-ending injured reserve Saturday, and he underwent a follow-up procedure Tuesday that has him on cructhes and his right knee bandaged within a brace.
“It’s about making sure I’m 100 percent coming back next year,” McKinnon said. “It’s definitely tough being out two seasons in a row. It’s not what I envisioned for myself when I came here, but that’s my journey and what I have to deal with.