SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Roger Craig, who has not missed a game in his eight professional seasons, was sidelined 'indefinitely' Monday with a torn ligament in his right knee.
Craig was injured Sunday during the second quarter of the 49ers' 24- 21 victory over Houston.
He played after the initial injury, but was in obvious pain and went to the bench for the remainder of the afternoon after reinjuring the knee in the fourth quarter.
Upon examination Monday, it was disclosed that Craig had suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament.
'Most of these injuries are taken care of by rehab,' said head coach George Seifert. 'The doctors feel as through that will be the situation here. As far as when he would return, it's indefinite.'
However, Seifert said he hoped Craig would be in uniform as quickly as Oct. 28's contest against the Cleveland Browns.
'A couple weeks, that would be the best,' Seifert said. 'The time situation here is a big question mark. There's a reason to believe he will be back playing before too long. I don't mean to be presenting gloom and doom like it's over. It's (Craig's season) not.
'To the contrary, I think it's positive that he could be back in a short period of time.'
Rookie Dexter Carter, the team's top draft pick, is Craig's likely replacement along with veteran Harry Sydney. Carter picked up 22 yards on 6 carries Sunday.
Ironically, Craig broke Walter Payton's NFL career mark for catches by a running back with two receptions Sunday. The 49ers leading rusher has 494 career receptions.
