Christian McCaffrey is finally back with the San Francisco 49ers.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday he expects the 2023 AP Offensive Player of the Year to make his season debut Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
McCaffrey's practice period began earlier this week, giving him 21 days to make his debut or his season would be over. It was always expected that the running back would have a chance to play this week, and the 49ers are happy to have him back.
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Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11, 2024. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
It's safe to say this has been going on for a long time. McCaffrey's injury situation has been a roller coaster, starting with Shanahan saying at the start of training camp that his star running back would be sidelined for several weeks due to a calf injury.
However, McCaffrey was surprisingly inactive during the team's opening week game against the New York Jets. Jordan Mason started in place of McCaffrey.
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The 49ers then announced that McCaffrey would be placed on injured reserve, meaning he would miss at least four games, but his absences have increased since then.
McCaffrey ended up traveling to Germany to receive specialist treatment for his Achilles tendon injury. Shanahan then revealed that McCaffrey is suffering from injuries to both ankles.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey watches from the sideline during the second quarter of the game against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium. (David Gonzalez/Imagine Images)
McCaffrey starred for the NFC champion 49ers in 2023, leading the league with 1,459 rushing yards and 21 points (14 on the ground, seven through the air), anchoring the team's offense.
Having McCaffrey in the backfield opens up a lot of possibilities for Shanahan and gives quarterback Brock Purdy another weapon as he continues to prove himself as a franchise quarterback.
McCaffrey is back in a strange situation compared to past seasons. The 49ers are tied with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West at 4-4, with the Arizona Cardinals leading at 5-4.
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a 5-yard rushing touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The race for the district championship is on the horizon, but the 49ers looked mediocre without McCaffrey.
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