Christian McCaffrey anticipated to play in his first game of the season for the 49ers this week

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers’ All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey has made a strong comeback in his first week of practice after recovering from Achilles tendinitis. He appears to be in great shape and is anticipated to make his season debut this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

McCaffrey resumed practice on Monday and has successfully completed three consecutive days on the field without any issues. Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism about McCaffrey’s return, stating he fully expects to see him play this weekend.

“He’s looked fantastic these last two days,” Shanahan commented during an interview on KNBR radio. “While you can never completely rule out a setback, everything has gone smoothly recently, and I am confident he will be out there.”

The running back has been struggling with Achilles tendinitis since early August, which sidelined him for most of training camp. Although he managed to return to practice just before the season began, he was ultimately inactive for the initial game against the New York Jets on September 9 and subsequently experienced another setback during a practice session on September 12.

Following that, he was placed on injured reserve, where he dedicated the next seven weeks to rest and rehabilitation, even traveling to Germany for specialized treatment.

With the 49ers currently at a .500 record (4-4), McCaffrey’s return is seen as crucial for revitalizing the team’s performance. The squad has struggled particularly in the first half of the season, averaging 3.9 fewer points per game compared to last year.

“It feels great to have McCaffrey back with us,” quarterback Brock Purdy stated. “His presence is a game changer and it really energizes everyone around him. Coming off the bye week, we’re all feeling refreshed, and having him in the backfield is just electrifying. He’s moving well, and it looks like he’s on the right path, so we’re all eager to see how it plays out.”

Jordan Mason has stepped up in McCaffrey’s absence, accumulating 685 rushing yards over eight games. However, the 49ers have greatly missed the impact of the reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year, particularly in red zone situations and the passing game.

Last season, McCaffrey topped the NFL with a remarkable 2,023 yards from scrimmage and tied for the most touchdowns in the league with 21, playing a vital role in San Francisco’s journey to the Super Bowl.

Having previously encountered injury issues that caused him to miss 23 games during his last two full seasons with the Carolina Panthers, McCaffrey has enjoyed better health in his time with the 49ers. He only missed one game in the 2022-23 seasons, which was a non-critical Week 18 game due to a calf strain. Over the regular season and playoffs, he recorded a total of 798 touches from scrimmage, ranking him third among all players for a two-year stretch in the past decade.