49ers GM: Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) could return to practice Monday
The San Francisco 49ers are anticipating the return of star running back Christian McCaffrey to the practice field next week.
McCaffrey has been placed on injured reserve and has been absent for the first eight games due to Achilles problems in both legs. However, 49ers general manager John Lynch revealed on Wednesday in an interview with KNBR that the team plans to activate McCaffrey's 21-day practice window on Monday.
This would potentially allow McCaffrey, who was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, to make his comeback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 10th. The 49ers have a bye this weekend.
Lynch stated, "The ideal scenario versus Tampa Bay is that he continues to ramp up, which just means increase the volume of work that he's doing. He's been doing that, and he hasn't had any setbacks. The hope is we take it up another notch this week. Provided that goes well, we're kind of opening that window, allowing him to go back to practice. IR players can work to the side. They can't get involved in practice. And so, Christian has been kind of on that plan."
He added, "And now, hopefully, you increase the volume this week. You hope you have no setbacks. I'd expect it to kind of go that way. I pray that it goes that way because he's done really well. He hasn't had any of those (setbacks). And if so, then Monday, we hope to have him practicing with our team, and that'd be a really good deal for us. We all know he's the reigning offensive player of the year. He's a special game-changing player for us."
In 2023, McCaffrey led the league with 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, while also recording 67 receptions for 564 yards and seven scores.
In McCaffrey's absence, Jordan Mason has performed admirably with 685 yards and three touchdowns. However, Mason suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday night's 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Rookie Isaac Guerendo stepped up in Mason's place on Sunday, rushing for 85 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. Overall, he has accumulated 227 yards and one touchdown.
The 49ers currently have a record of 4-4 as they enjoy their bye week.
