Report: McCaffrey could return for 49ers’ Week 7 game against Chiefs

Report: McCaffrey could return for 49ers’ Week 7 game against Chiefs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers should continue to push on without Christian McCaffrey – for now.

The returning star will not be activated from injured reserve to face the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 6, even though he is eligible to return, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday, citing league sources. But there is hope on the horizon.

McCaffrey appears to be making progress with his calf injury and bilateral Achilles tendonitis That landed him on IR in Week 2, as the latter didn’t break out in practice this week when the All-Pro participated in his first on-field work since being sidelined, Schefter also reported, citing league sources.

Patience is the key with Achilles tendonitis, which McCaffrey suffers from in both legs. But one leg is doing better than the other and the bilateral aspect of his condition “is not considered a cause for concern,” Schefter reported, citing sources, stressing that the running back was doing everything possible to avoid any setbacks. .

If McCaffrey’s preparation moves forward without any setbacks, the 49ers star could be back on the field by Oct. 20 for a Super Bowl LVIII rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 at Levi’s Stadium, Schefter reported, citing league sources.

McCaffrey has been the 49ers’ offensive catalyst since San Francisco acquired him at the 2022 NFL trade deadline. And while running back Jordan Mason has performed above and beyond in McCaffrey’s absence , there’s no denying that the 49ers are simply a better team when they have CMC in the mix.

While it appears that Week 7 would be McCaffrey’s best-case scenario, he also has a chance to return in Week 8 when the Dallas Cowboys visit Santa Clara, Schefter reported, citing sources, while noting that San Francisco could choose to keep McCaffrey left those two games before his Week 9 bye to give him even more rest.

McCaffrey recently returned from a trip to Germanywhere he underwent treatment for his Achilles tendinitis in an attempt to return. So far so good, as it appears McCaffrey is making progress.

There’s certainly no desire to have him return from such a serious illness, although the Faithful 49ers certainly hope to see McCaffrey back on the field soon. San Francisco is 2-2 in its Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

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