McCaffrey has been on injured reserve since Week 2 with calf and Achilles tendinitis. He did not play in Week 1 after being a late scratch before San Francisco's season opener.
There were previous indications that McCaffrey would return in November, but ESPN reports McCaffrey began on-field work without incident this week. If his current progress continues without setbacks, McCaffrey could reportedly return as early as the Niners' Oct. 20 Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
After that, the Niners play the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 27 and then have a bye week before their Nov. 10 date against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Any of those dates could apparently be the game he comes back, but the bye week obviously makes November attractive if you're prioritizing caution.
McCaffrey flew to Germany last week to get a second opinion from a specialist on his Achilles injury.
With McCaffrey out, the Niners have featured Jordan Mason at running back. Through five games, he has 447 rushing yards — second in the NFL — and three touchdowns on an NFL-high 91 carries. As a team, the Niners are off to a 2-2 start.
McCaffrey's Injury and Return Timeline
McCaffrey has been dealing with bilateral Achilles tendinitis since training camp and was limited in practice heading into Week 1. The running back was initially on the 49ers' roster for the regular season opener, but was a late scratch before the game and later placed on injured reserve.
The 49ers, who accordingly led the league in rushing yards last season, currently rank eighth even without McCaffrey thanks to a breakout season from third-year back Jordan Mason.
McCaffrey is eligible to return as of Week 6, but will not be activated for the upcoming Thursday contest against the Seattle Seahawks, per Schefter. Schefter reported that the Achilles tendinitis “is not considered a concern,” and that the issue “is concentrated to one of his legs, and the other is faring better.”
How McCaffrey's Return Could Affect the 49ers' Offense
McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards as well as with 2,023 all-purpose yards and 21 total touchdowns during the first Pro Bowl season of his 49ers tenure last year. Getting a healthy McCaffrey back would allow San Francisco to lighten the workload for Mason, who currently leads the NFL with 91 carries, and once more make the 49ers one of the most dangerous rushing offenses in the league.
What's Next for McCaffrey and the 49ers?
McCaffrey will continue to ramp up his workload in the coming weeks, and the 49ers will have to make a decision on whether to activate him for Week 7 or wait until after their bye week. With the 49ers currently sitting at 2-2, the team will be looking to get McCaffrey back as soon as possible to help them make a push for the playoffs.
While McCaffrey's return date remains uncertain, the 49ers have received positive news regarding his recovery. If his current progress continues without setbacks, McCaffrey could be back on the field sooner rather than later. The 49ers and their fans will be eagerly awaiting his return, as he is a key piece of their offensive puzzle.
