The San Francisco 49ers lost another starter for the remainder of the regular season.
Running back Carlos Hyde suffered a serious MCL sprain that will knock him out of the Week 17 tilt versus the Seattle Seahawks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported per a source informed of the situation.
ESPN first reported the news.
49ers coach Chip Kelly told reporters Monday that Hyde will not need to undergo surgery for his injury.
Hyde was hit on his left leg in Saturday's win over the Los Angeles Rams. The 26-year-old back walked off under his own power, but didn't return to the contest.
"It didn't feel that bad when it first happened. It's pain, there's some pain, but it didn't feel like bad pain. I've felt worse," Hyde said after Saturday's win, via the Associated Press. "That's why I was able to get up and walk off on my own."
Hyde tallied 13 totes for 38 yards before exiting early. The injury left the running back 12 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season.
The nimble running back was Chip Kelly's best weapon all year. Hyde's running style meshes well with Kelly's outside-zone fetish. The third-year pro compiled career-high marks in yards (988), attempts (217), and touchdowns (9 total).
The MCL sprain shouldn't completely discombobulate Hyde's offseason. Assuming the 49ers don't dump Kelly after one season that was marred by injury on both sides of the ball, Hyde should be in for another big year in 2017, which is a contract year for the running back.
