San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to make his 2024 season debut this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Kyle Shanahan shared his optimism during his weekly segment on KNBR, stating McCaffrey’s performance in practice this week has been promising.
“He’s had two good days,” Shanahan said Thursday. “He’s been awesome these last two days. Hopefully, that continues to go well, and I expect to get him out there.”
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While Shanahan is confident, the team plans to evaluate McCaffrey’s status up until kickoff, taking a cautious approach to avoid potential setbacks.
A long-awaited return
McCaffrey, who has been sidelined since training camp due to Achilles tendinitis, was initially a game-time decision for Week 1 but was later placed on injured reserve. Now, almost two months later, the 28-year-old running back appears to be fully recovered and eager to rejoin the team.
Quarterback Brock Purdy expressed his excitement about having McCaffrey back in the lineup. “All of us coming off a bye week are feeling good and fresh. Then you get 23 next to you in the backfield-it’s been awesome,” Purdy said. “He looks great moving around, and he’s trending in the right direction for Sunday.”
The 49ers are expected to activate McCaffrey off injured reserve on Saturday if all goes according to plan during Friday’s walkthrough.
McCaffrey’s impact on the 49ers
Since joining the 49ers in 2022, McCaffrey has been a game-changer. Over 33 games in red and gold, he has amassed nearly 4,000 scrimmage yards and 39 touchdowns, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of Shanahan’s offense. His versatility extends beyond running and receiving McCaffrey even has a passing touchdown under his belt.
The Stanford alum and Colorado native secured his status as the NFL’s highest-paid running back with a four-year, $62.2 million contract extension during the offseason. With his return, the 49ers hope to reignite their playoff push in the second half of the season.
Fans can expect a revitalized offense as McCaffrey takes the field this Sunday, ready to make an immediate impact against the Buccaneers.
