Reports: 49ers targeting Christian McCaffrey return in November

The 49ers may have won on the field Thursday night in Seattle, but the biggest win for their 2024 outlook came in the form of a Christian McCaffrey update.

Reports emerged prior to Thursday Night Football’s kickoff that the San Francisco 49ers star running back is still ramping up from his achilles injury. That is likely to continue for the next few weeks, but if there are no setbacks, CMC could make a return to action by the middle of November.

NFL Insider Albert Breer was the first to give an update on McCaffrey Thursday, doing so on Amazon Prime Video broadcast.

“Going back to August, when he started to feel like himself again, they ramped him up toward the opener against the Jets,” Breer said. “Ultimately, the Achilles flared up on him, so after the opener, they wound up shutting him down.

“He just started feeling like himself again last week, so they started to ramp him up over the last few days. The good news is that there’s been no flare ups. There’s been no setbacks. He feels good. So, the Niners are optimistic about where he is, but this is a scary deal for him. He’s determined to play this year. I’d say the next two or three weeks are critical.”

From TNF Tonight—our update on @49ers RB Christian McCaffrey’s Achilles and also rookie Ricky Pearsall’s status. pic.twitter.com/y89Enx4Y0Q

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 10, 2024

The 49ers’ upcoming schedule will likely dictate how and when CMC will return.

San Francisco has two home games in a row before heading into its’ Week 9 bye. Should Christian McCaffrey return to the practice field in the next week or so, his on-field ramp-up could extend into early November, potentially giving him a more graceful return in Week 10, after a very tricky injury.

“What makes the most sense, and really what has been the target in the eyes of McCaffrey and the 49ers, is get him back to practice at some point in that window, Week 7 or 8. And potentially play after the bye, would be [an] excellent, excellent reality for the 49ers if they get their star back in that time frame,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport state Thursday.

The Insiders on @NFLGameDay Kickoff with @TomPelissero: Key injuries for #Seahawks–#49ers, when CMC will be back, and a look into the #Steelers QB situation… pic.twitter.com/DTyAVXdAcf

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2024

In addition to Christian McCaffrey, Breer also provided an update on rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

The 49ers’ 2024 first-round pick is expected to return to practice next week, and could make his NFL debut Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Arizona native has been on injured reserve since suffering a gunshot wound to the chest prior to the regular season.

San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule:

Regular Season

• Sunday, October 20th vs. Kansas City Chiefs [SB LVIII Rematch]– 1:25 pm PDT
• Sunday, October 27th vs. Dallas Cowboys [SNF] – 5:20 pm PDT
• Week 9 Bye Week
• Sunday, November 10th @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10 am PDT
• Sunday, November 17th vs. Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 pm PDT

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