San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is poised to make his season debut this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, following his recovery from a bilateral Achilles tendinitis injury.
McCaffrey expressed enthusiasm about his return, acknowledging the challenges of his recent injury period. “The last eight weeks were extremely unfortunate,” McCaffrey said to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “For me, it’s very tough being injured. It’s tough physically, mentally, emotionally, especially when it’s just not how you planned it. It wasn’t expected. Some stuff just went wrong, but I’m feeling great now. Ready to go.”
The 28-year-old was unexpectedly inactive in Week 1 and was later placed on injured reserve before Week 2. McCaffrey reportedly sought treatment abroad, including a visit to Germany, though he did not confirm specifics. “When you’re on IR and you’re hurt, you’ll do anything to come back,” McCaffrey added, emphasizing his dedication to recovery.
McCaffrey, last season’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year, led the league in 2023 with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns. The 49ers, currently holding a 4-4 record, are set to activate McCaffrey off IR on Saturday as they aim to keep up in the competitive NFC West, led by the 5-4 Arizona Cardinals.
