SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The first half of the season proved challenging for Christian McCaffrey, the All-Pro running back for the San Francisco 49ers, as he spent eight weeks watching from the sidelines due to Achilles tendinitis. The mental and physical toll of being unable to play left him feeling “dark” as he navigated the pain and frustration of not being on the field. Fortunately, McCaffrey is ready to make his season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday.
“Sometimes you just take it for granted that you play this game for a living and it’s what you do, it’s what you train for,” McCaffrey remarked on Friday. “But when it’s taken from you, even just for a little bit of time, it makes you really appreciate every single day when you’re on the grass.” After returning to practice earlier this week, he has successfully completed four days of workouts without any setbacks, and is expected to be activated off injured reserve on Saturday, despite being listed as questionable.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism about McCaffrey’s return, stating, “We’ll take him off IR tomorrow and then he’ll be good to go. So unless something crazy happens on this plane ride, he should be good to go once he gets off IR.” However, not all injury news is favorable for the 49ers. Star defensive end Nick Bosa is also listed as questionable after sustaining a hip injury during Wednesday’s practice, raising concerns about his availability for Sunday’s game.
“He wasn’t able to do a lot (at practice). He was extremely limited,” Shanahan remarked regarding Bosa’s condition. “Hoping he’ll be all right, but we’ll see on Sunday.” Additionally, the team is mourning as starting cornerback Charvarius Ward has been away from practice following the tragic death of his one-year-old daughter, Amani Joy. Team officials, including general manager John Lynch, attended her memorial service in Dallas to support him during this difficult time.
McCaffrey has been dealing with Achilles tendinitis since early August, which resulted in a near-complete absence from training camp. He made a brief appearance in practice just before the season opener but was ruled out just before a game against the New York Jets on September 9, and suffered a setback shortly after. Placed on injured reserve two days after that, he spent the past seven weeks recuperating, which included a treatment trip to Germany that he preferred to keep private. “When you’re on IR and hurt, you’ll do anything to come back. I feel good right now. That’s all that matters,” he stated succinctly.
Looking ahead, the 49ers (4-4) hope McCaffrey’s return will provide a much-needed lift in the second half of the season. The team’s offense has struggled, scoring 3.9 points fewer per game compared to last year, and while Jordan Mason has stepped up with 685 rushing yards in eight games, the absence of the reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year has been felt, particularly in the red zone and passing game. The running backs have only tallied 26 catches, ranking among the lower tiers in the league, a stark decrease from their top five standing during McCaffrey’s previous seasons.
Last season, McCaffrey led the NFL with a total of 2,023 yards from scrimmage and was tied for the most touchdowns at 21, playing a pivotal role in leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl. After facing injuries that kept him out of 23 games in his last two full seasons with the Carolina Panthers, he has since enjoyed good health, missing only one game in 2022-23—a non-critical Week 18 game due to a sore calf. His 798 touches from scrimmage over the last two years have placed him among the top players in the league for that span.
Despite his recent history, McCaffrey remains unconcerned about future injuries. “I feel good now,” he asserted. “I wouldn’t be out here if it was still bothering me. I feel great.”
As for current injury updates, defensive tackle Kevin Givens is out with a groin issue, while wide receiver Chris Conley is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Furthermore, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (rib, oblique), safety Malik Mustapha (calf), and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (knee) are all listed as questionable for the upcoming game. Defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos won’t be activated off IR for this week’s matchup.