Heading into the 49ers’ season opener against the New York Jets, there was optimism—at least publicly—that star running back Christian McCaffrey would make his highly anticipated season debut. The team had indicated it was a gametime decision, with McCaffrey reportedly pulling out just before kickoff.
However, questions arose about the accuracy of that timeline, particularly after backup running back Jordan Mason revealed he had been informed on Friday that he would be starting, casting doubt on the narrative that McCaffrey’s status was truly undecided until moments before the game.
Since then, McCaffrey has yet to play a single down this season, and now, it seems his return could be further away than initially expected. McCaffrey is dealing with an Achilles tendon issue, officially described as tendonitis. To seek additional expertise, McCaffrey traveled to Germany at the end of September to consult with a specialist.
With growing concern over when McCaffrey will return to action, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler provided an update on SportsCenter ahead of the 49ers’ upcoming Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs. According to Fowler, there remains uncertainty surrounding McCaffrey’s return, but the team has an internal target for when they hope to see him back on the field.
“There’s still some mystery around when he’s exactly going to come back,” Fowler explained. “But I talked to some people in the organization who said, ‘Look, we have the bye week coming up.’ Not this week, not next week, but after that—the Week 9, Week 10 range could be the spot for McCaffrey to ramp up and be ready for the second half of the season.”
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Fowler added that the team is eyeing November and December for McCaffrey to make an impact as the 49ers push toward the postseason, with hopes that the star running back will be in peak form when they need him most.
McCaffrey’s absence has been significant, given his tremendous performance last season. He led the NFL in 2023 with 1,453 rushing yards and totaled 2,023 yards from scrimmage, scoring a league-leading 21 touchdowns. The 49ers had expected McCaffrey to be a cornerstone of their offense again this season, but his Achilles issue has put a hold on those plans.
As the 49ers move forward, the hope is that McCaffrey’s Achilles will heal in time for him to contribute during the crucial latter half of the season.
The Week 9 or Week 10 target suggests the team is willing to be cautious to ensure he returns fully healthy, knowing his presence could be the difference maker as they aim for a deep playoff run.
In the meantime, the 49ers will rely on their depth in the backfield, with Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell stepping up in McCaffrey’s absence. While the team has performed well without him, McCaffrey’s return could provide a critical boost as they prepare for the playoff push.
All eyes will be on his recovery timeline in the coming weeks, as 49ers fans eagerly await the return of one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers.
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