Christian McCaffrey Expected to Make 2024 Season Debut in Week 10 vs. Buccaneers

McCaffrey has missed all of the 2024 season with bilateral Achilles tendinitis.
McCaffrey has missed all of the 2024 season with bilateral Achilles tendinitis. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
In this story:

Christian McCaffrey is back.

The San Francisco 49ers running back and reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year is all but certain to make his 2024 season debut this weekend. McCaffrey has been sidelined with bilateral Achilles tendinitis but has practiced this week and is set to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed the news.

In brief practice shots, McCaffrey has looked pretty good this week and he told former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman that he likely could have played in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.

It's a great time for McCaffrey to return. The 49ers are 4-4, tied for second place in the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams, and just behind the Arizona Cardinals who are 5-4. San Francisco needs its star running back.

McCaffrey had a brilliant campaign in 2023 when he led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards, while scoring14 touchdowns on the ground. He added 67 receptions for 564 yards and seven more touchdowns. If he can be close to what he was last season, the 49ers have to feel confident about reaching the playoffs.


More of the Latest Around the NFL

feed


Published
Ryan Phillips
RYAN PHILLIPS

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.