Is San Francisco 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey one step nearer to his long-awaited return?
An Achilles damage has sidelined McCaffrey this season, however he not too long ago began practising once more. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan stated McCaffrey was restricted Wednesday however had “no ache,” seemingly a constructive signal.
On Monday, 49ers basic supervisor John Lynch stated McCaffrey will play Sunday on the street towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if he stays heading in the right direction.
“Can he reply in a great way? Can he really feel wholesome sufficient? Can he really feel like he can go make an impression and deal with the amount that we have placed on him?” Lynch stated on “The TK Present.” “If that’s the case, we cannot hesitate to play him.”
The 49ers ought to nonetheless train warning. In September, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported McCaffrey noticed a specialist in Germany, suggesting the damage was extra extreme than beforehand thought.
Throughout McCaffrey’s absence, 49ers third-year operating again Jordan Mason has emerged as a strong choice. In eight video games, the previous undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech ranks fourth within the NFL in speeding yards (685).
Nevertheless, a wholesome McCaffrey might increase the Niners offense. In 2023, he received Offensive Participant of the 12 months, operating for a career-high 1,459 yards on 272 carries in 16 regular-season video games. Moreover, he scored 21 touchdowns (14 speeding and 7 receiving).
In his Wednesday column, ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote, “The Niners would not deliver McCaffrey again from Achilles tendinitis in the event that they weren’t certain he might deal with his regular workload.”
McCaffrey’s potential return may very well be coming on the proper time for the 49ers. San Francisco (4-4) is third within the NFC West and would miss the playoffs if the season ended Wednesday. Star WR Brandon Aiyuk not too long ago suffered a season-ending ACL/MCL tear, which might hamper San Francisco’s passing assault.
If McCaffrey retains thriving when he returns, that might assist the 49ers flip the swap.
