The San Francisco 49ers expect Christian McCaffrey to resume practicing during their bye week, hopeful that the star running back can energize the offense as the team enters the second half of the season. McCaffrey has not yet played this season, as he landed on injured reserve due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis.
The 49ers plan to open McCaffrey's practice window, potentially allowing him to make his season debut as early as the November 10 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco's first game after the break. The team is coming off a 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
During a segment on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN insider Adam Schefter provided an encouraging update on McCaffrey's recovery.
"So far, he has not had any setbacks during his recovery," Schefter reported. "I don't want to jinx this, right? Knock on wood. I don't want to jinx this, but he has not had any setbacks and he has looked strong. And right now, yeah, he's poised to get back, I think, after their bye and play against the Buccaneers."
"We have some positive Christian McCaffrey news..
So far has has not had any setbacks during his recovery..
Right now he's poised to get back and play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers" @AdamSchefter #PMSLive #FTTB pic.twitter.com/crXXZvcZ2v
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2024
Schefter cautioned against over-optimism, noting that everyone anticipated McCaffrey's return for Week 1 before he suffered a setback. However, he added, "Right now, he is tracking to play against the Buccaneers."
Though head coach Kyle Shanahan has not disclosed many specifics on McCaffrey's progress, he too has indicated optimism.
"Christian is still progressing through his rehab," Shanahan shared last week before the Cowboys game. "He hasn't had any setbacks, so it's been all good news so far. I'd be surprised to get him back this week, but hopefully, the bye week will go well, and he'll have a much better chance there right after the bye week."
Running back Jordan Mason has stepped in during McCaffrey's absence but suffered a setback on Sunday night against the Cowboys, re-aggravating the shoulder injury (AC joint sprain) initially sustained against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. Shanahan suggested that Mason's injury isn't considered too serious.
"JP (Mason) got banged up," Shanahan said after the game. "JP tried to come back, and maybe could have, but [RB] Isaac [Guerendo] was rolling and did a good job."