-
Nick Wagoner, ESPN writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After watching Christian McCaffrey participate in the San Francisco 49ers’ most grueling practice of the week, coach Kyle Shanahan said he’s seen enough to believe the star running back will make his season debut on Sunday.
talking to KNBR Radio In San Francisco on Thursday, Shanahan said McCaffrey had done well enough in practice this week to return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“He’s been amazing these last two days,” Shanahan said. “You never know [about] a setback or something, but these two days have been fantastic and I hope to see him out there.
McCaffrey has been on injured reserve since Sept. 14 due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis that followed a calf injury that began bothering him in early August. McCaffrey traveled to Germany to meet with a specialist while the 49ers were in Los Angeles to play the Rams on September 22.
Before last week’s bye, Shanahan said McCaffrey would stay at the team facility and do simulated practice activities leading up to his return to practice. There were no hiccups from that, leading to the practice window opening on Monday.
McCaffrey participated in the team’s “extra” practice that day and has since participated on a limited basis in the Wednesday and Thursday sessions. But Thursday’s practice was always thought to be the most important; It is the most intense session of the week and the longest.
Now, all that stands between McCaffrey and his season debut on Sunday is a lighter practice on Friday that’s little more than a walk-through and then a cross-country flight to Tampa, Florida, on Friday night. Barring an issue there, the Niners would activate McCaffrey from injured reserve on Saturday.
To make room for him on the roster, they will need to make the corresponding move to open a spot.
For most of the last few weeks, Shanahan and the Niners have this week flagged McCaffrey’s possible return as he continued the rehab that kept him out of the team’s first eight games.
McCaffrey’s return to practice has offered a notable boost for the 4-4 Niners, according to coaches and teammates.
“It’s been unbelievable,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “Just what he brings to the table and really excites everyone else. All of us coming off the bye week and feeling good and fresh and then you go 2-3 on your side in the backfield, it’s been awesome. It looks great. . is moving and going in the right direction, so we’re excited to see what happens.”
Assuming McCaffrey plays against Tampa Bay, it remains to be seen if he will take on his usual workload. When healthy, McCaffrey has been the team’s primary back, collecting a career-high 417 touches (including playoffs) on his way to winning the league’s Offensive Player of the Year award in 2023.
Jordan Mason, who replaced McCaffrey and ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards per game, offers depth, but he, too, was limited in Thursday’s practice due to a shoulder injury. Rookie Isaac Guerendo and veteran Patrick Taylor Jr. are the other running backs on the 53-man roster.
Despite those options, Shanahan has indicated that McCaffrey’s workload will be determined by how he feels as the game approaches and noted Wednesday that he doesn’t believe McCaffrey’s injuries are the result of overworking himself in seasons previous.
“I think things happen to the body,” Shanahan said. “I think they happen in the offseason, but I don’t think that really has to do with the numbers. When a guy is healthy and good, they’re usually good. But we have to see where his conditioning is, how he is. I know he’s the best he can be, but how’s his football conditioning and stuff? But I usually don’t take into account one year’s numbers that will affect the injury the next year.”
If things go as planned, Shanahan also indicated to KNBR that a pair of other key Niners, receivers Jauan Jennings (hip) and Deebo Samuel (rib, oblique), are also expected to play against the Bucs.
