### Christian McCaffrey Set to Make Season Debut After Overcoming Achilles Tendonitis

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Christian McCaffrey is poised to make his much-anticipated return to the field, putting an Achilles tendonitis issue behind him that kept him sidelined for the first eight weeks of the season.

Following a rigorous Friday practice, McCaffrey expressed confidence in his recovery. "I feel good now," he said, emphasizing that he wouldn't be practicing if the issue was still a concern. This weekend, the San Francisco 49ers listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, a designation more technical than indicative of his current condition, since he remains on injured reserve. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed plans to activate McCaffrey on Saturday for his 2024 debut against the Buccaneers. "We'll take him off IR tomorrow, and then he'll be good to go unless something crazy happens on this plane ride," Shanahan noted.

McCaffrey's tendonitis kept him from participating in most of the training camp and sidelined him during the season opener and the subsequent games. His unexpected flare-up of the condition just before Week 2 led the 49ers to place him on IR. Although McCaffrey avoided elaborating on why he traveled to Germany in late September, he hinted that managing the issue required more than mere rest. "When you're on IR, you're hurt, you'll do anything to come back," he stated.

Known for his intensive training regimen, McCaffrey found the Achilles issue particularly frustrating, noting it resulted in some "dark" moments over the past two months. His dedication to football is all-consuming, making his time away from the field even more challenging. "I think about football pretty much every day of my life," McCaffrey said, reflecting on the mental toll of his injury.

As the 49ers prepare for McCaffrey’s return, speculation has emerged about whether his carries will be limited. Last season, he had one of the league's heaviest workloads and often played 100 percent of the offensive snaps. The team's depth at running back will be bolstered by the full recovery of Jordan Mason from a shoulder injury and the progress of rookie Isaac Guerendo during McCaffrey's absence.

Even with McCaffrey's return, the 49ers face injury challenges. Seventeen players appeared on the practice participation report this week. Notably, Nick Bosa suffered a hip injury and remained limited in practice, raising questions about his availability for Sunday. Additionally, safety Malik Mustapha and backup quarterback Brandon Allen suffered injuries during practice, and both are listed as questionable. Deebo Samuel and Jon Feliciano also received the same designation.

Three players have been ruled out for the game: Chris Conley with a hamstring injury, Kevin Givens with a groin injury, and Charvarius Ward, who is mourning the recent passing of his 23-month-old daughter, Amani Joy. On a positive note, receiver Jauan Jennings and kicker Jake Moody are cleared of any injury concerns.

The San Francisco 49ers are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a slightly bolstered roster but remain cautiously optimistic about their injury-stricken team.