Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers are gearing up to return to NFL action after a well-deserved short break. Some players are expected to be available, including star running back Christian McCaffrey, who had been temporarily replaced by a rookie.
According to Shanahan, Christian McCaffrey could be ready to play this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That’s the expectation from the head coach as the 49ers prepare for their first game in November after closing out October with a home victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
McCaffrey has been sidelined since reports emerged in August 2024 that he suffered an Achilles tendon injury. He had been dealing with tendinitis, which could have kept him out for the rest of the season. However, things improved for him much sooner than expected.
In his absence, the 49ers turned to Isaac Guerendo and other players to handle some of the running plays needed to support Brock Purdy. A couple of weeks ago, Guerendo sent a message to McCaffrey about his return to active duty.
How long has McCaffrey been with the 49ers?
McCaffrey has been with the San Francisco 49ers since 2022. The 2023 season was one of his best, as he started 16 games and scored 21 touchdowns (rushing and receiving). It’s worth noting that he spent most of his career with the Carolina Panthers before being traded after six seasons with them.