Kyle Shanahan expects Christian McCaffrey to make season debut Week 10

Nov 7, 2024, 4:59 PM

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers interacts with Christian McCaffrey #23 prior to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

It appears the wait is over and the return is near for Christian McCaffrey.

The San Francisco 49ers star running back is expected to make his 2024 season debut Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per coach Kyle Shanahan. Asked about McCaffrey’s timeline during his weekly segment on KNBR, the coach felt confident after two days practice, setting his sights on having the ballcarrier back in the fold Wewk 10.

“I do feel good one way or another. He’s had two good days,” Shanahan said about Christian McCaffrey on KNBR Thursday. “He’s been awesome these last two days. So hopefully, that continues to go well and I expect to get him out there.”

The wait is over: 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said he expects Christian McCaffrey make his season debut Sunday vs. the Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/69BcNRmWrk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 8, 2024

However, the 49ers will take McCaffrey’s availability up to kickoff Sunday, not wanting to get too far ahead of themselves. The Colorado native has been battling achilles tendinitis since training camp, and was a late scratch Week 1. H was shut down indefinitely prior to Week 2.

Now almost two months removed, Christian McCaffrey is back to his usual self, ready to lead the 49ers down the stretch run of the 2024 regular season.

“You never know for a setback or anything but these two days have been great and I expect to see him out there,” the coach continued.

“It’s been awesome. What he brings to the table and really just firing everybody else up,” quarterback Brock Purdy added about CMC. “All of us coming off a bye week and feeling good and fresh and then you get 23 next to you in the backfield, it’s been awesome. He looks great moving around and he’s trending in the right direction (for Sunday) so we’re excited to see what happens.”

The return of Christian McCaffrey is upon us ♨️ pic.twitter.com/dncJeTOKlz
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) November 7, 2024

The 49ers are expected to activate him off injured reserve Saturday, should Friday’s final walkthrough go to plan.

More on Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey, 28, has been an offensive juggernaut since joining the 49ers midway through the 2022 season. The Colorado native has amassed nearly 4,000 scrimmage yards and 39 touchdowns (regular season and playoffs) in 33 games played in Red & Gold. He has also throw for a score as well, making him the complete package in Shanahan’s offense.

The Stanford alum is now in his seventh NFL season. He inked a four-year, $62.2 million extension over the offseason, retaining his status as the highest-paid RB in football. He is signed through the 2027 season.