49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey could very well make his 2024 season debut — much sooner rather than later
Andre Johnson 
BAY AREA BEAST
SAN FRANCISCO — Could Christian McCaffrey soon make his 2024 season debut?
According to various media reports, the 49ers superstar running back — who has been hampered by an Achilles injury the entire season thus far — could return to the lineup as early as Week 10 when San Francisco travels to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On NFL Network’s Good Morning Football show on Friday, insider Ian Rapoport provided some encouraging news regarding McCaffrey’s return to action.
According to Rapoport, the eight-year veteran and four-time All-Pro has a “very good chance” to return for the 49ers’ game at the Buccaneers, although McCaffrey still has not returned to practice.
Rapoport disclosed the news while discussing McCaffrey’s replacement Jordan Mason, who is nursing a shoulder injury but is expected to play when San Francisco (3-4) welcomes the Dallas Cowboys (3-3) Sunday night at 5:20 PST in a crucial game for both teams at Levi’s Stadium.
The NFL’s second-leading rusher behind Baltimore’s Derrick Henry (873 yards on 73 carries and eight touchdowns), Mason has filled in masterfully for the injured McCaffrey, having amassed 667 on 128 carries and five TD’s.
During Monday’s availability session with the media, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey is unlikely to practice this week, but the team remains hopeful the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year will be able to return after Week 9.
“This actually might be the last game where Jordan Mason is the bell cow,” Rapoport said. “49ers have a bye. Christian McCaffrey should start practicing and there’s a very good chance that McCaffrey is on the field Nov. 10, the 49ers’ next game.”
GOLD RUSH
The centerpiece of the 49ers’ potent offense, McCaffrey’s return undoubtedly would prove monumental for a San Francisco team that has struggled mightily in the red zone since the start of the season, a trend that has given way to the team generating a 3-4 mark through seven games for the third time in the past four seasons.
The 49ers are currently ranked 27th in the NFL in red zone scoring percentage (45.16), this after the team finished first in that category a year ago, having reached the end zone 68 percent of the time.
If last season is any indication, a McCaffrey return to the lineup could certainly bolster San Francisco’s offense during the season’s pivotal stretch run.
The former Stanford star is coming off arguably the most productive season of his Hall of Fame career, having amassed an NFL-best 1,459 yards on 272 carries and 16 TD’s. What’s even more astounding is that McCaffrey started 16 of 17 regular season games for the 49ers — he sat out the team’s regular season finale, given the 49ers had secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed — who advanced to Super Bowl 58.
By season’s end, McCaffrey had generated 2,023 all-purpose yards, proving he’s just as efficacious to San Francisco’s passing game, given he finished the year with 564 yards on 67 receptions.
Having missed all of training camp, McCaffrey surprisingly was ruled out a little less than two hours prior to the 49ers’ season opener versus the New York Jets.
As his tendon seemingly flared up days later, the 28-year-old McCaffrey subsequently was placed on injured reserve and flew to Germany weeks later for additional treatment to try and accelerate his recovery.
Meanwhile, 49ers general manager John Lynch on Friday provided arguably the best news of season surrounding McCaffrey and All-Pro linebacker Dre Greenlaw (who sustained a ruptured Achilles in Super Bowl 58).
When asked if he thinks McCaffrey and Greenlaw will return this season, Lynch during an interview with San Francisco’s KNBR, said: “Absolutely, very much so. We’re getting closer on all of them. They’re trending in really good directions.”
In another development:
49ers star tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Deebo Samuel returned to practice Thursday, although both are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game versus the Cowboys.
Shanahan on Monday told reporters Kittle sprained his foot during team’s 28-18 loss to the visiting Kansas City Chiefs and was listed as day-to-day.
Meanwhile, Samuel rejoined the team this week after vacating last week’s game in the first quarter and ultimately being hospitalized for pneumonia after experiencing fluid in his lungs.
Having started 15 of 17 regular season games in 2023, Samuel was treated and released from the hospital on Monday, the 49ers announced.
San Francisco will be without receiver Jauan Jennings for a second consecutive week due to a hip injury.
Also questionable for Sunday’s game are 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenior (illness) and safety George Odum (knee).
Barring any unforeseen issues, both players are expected to suit up against Dallas.
Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder/Publisher & Editor In Chief of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson primarily covers the NBA, NFL, and college football. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
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