San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey appears to be on track for a return after missing the first eight games due to Achilles tendinitis. The 49ers opened his practice window this week, and McCaffrey took part in Monday's lighter bonus session. He came away from his first on-field work of the season without any pain and could suit up as early as this weekend's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"He was good (after Monday's practice)," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "We didn't do too much but had no pain. Was good yesterday, and excited to get him out there today."
McCaffrey is coming off a standout 2023 season, where he earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, amassing 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 total touchdowns. The 49ers will face the Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
The team has three more practices scheduled this week, beginning today. Shanahan expects McCaffrey to be a limited participant in the Wednesday session.
When asked what he needs to see from McCaffrey to determine his readiness for Sunday, Shanahan said, "That he's just Christian McCaffrey, and he's not hurting. ... So just as long as he doesn't get sore and have setbacks each day with practice—usually, if you get that in practice, that means it's going to be worse in the game. So hopefully, he can string together three days in a row and not have any of those."
Shanahan remained noncommittal when asked about McCaffrey's anticipated workload upon his return, noting that he doesn't believe the running back's heavy workload last season contributed to his current injury.
"We've got to see where his conditioning is at, how he is," Shanahan added. "I know he's conditioned as well as he can be, but how his football conditioning is and stuff. But usually, I don't chalk up to numbers one year to affect the injury the next year."
Others expected to be limited include wide receiver Deebo Samuel (rib, oblique), kicker Jake Moody (ankle), offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (knee), wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip), and punter Mitch Wishnowsky (back). Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee), whose practice window was opened today, will also be limited.
Wide receiver Chris Conley (hamstring), defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin), and cornerback Charvarius Ward will not practice. Ward is in Dallas this week attending funeral services for his daughter, Amani Joy.