Christian McCaffrey is back in practice, signaling a potential return to the field for the San Francisco 49ers. The star running back has been sidelined this season due to achilles tendonitis, which has kept him from participating in any games thus far.
Following a productive practice session on Monday, McCaffrey is eyeing his season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, which will be broadcast on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
At 28 years old, McCaffrey boasts an impressive resume as a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. He is often hailed as one of the finest running backs of his era. During his first full season with the 49ers, after being traded midseason in 2022, McCaffrey led the league with 1,459 rushing yards and earned the title of 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, playing a pivotal role in the team’s journey to both the NFC championship and the Super Bowl.
Currently, the 49ers hold a 4-4 record and are coming off a bye week. The team has faced a series of injuries this season, notably to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who will be out for the remainder of the year due to a torn ACL. Yet, McCaffrey’s absence has had the most significant impact. Despite averaging 159 rushing yards per game, which ranks fourth in the NFL, the 49ers have struggled in the red zone without McCaffrey. They currently sit at 28th in red zone touchdown efficiency, a stark contrast to their league-leading performance in the previous season.
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