After a disappointing first half of the 2024 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers are going to need a strong finish to win the NFC West. They have good news on the injury front that will help them accomplish that. Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that superstar running Christian McCaffrey is expected to make his season debut on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
McCaffrey has been sidelined for the first eight games dealing with an Achilles injury.
Backup Jordan Mason has been an excellent replacement for him and through eight games is fourth in the NFL with 685 yards rushing.
As good as Mason has been, the 49ers are still going to be ecstatic to have McCaffrey back in the lineup. He is not only one of their best players, he is one of the best players in football and the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Having both him and Mason as a two-headed monster at running back is going to be a headache for opposing defenses to prepare for and play against. Especially with McCaffrey’s ability to line up as a wide receiver and catch passes, creating the possibility for both players to be on the field at the same time.
With star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk out for the remainder of the season, this is a perfectly timed return for McCaffrey.
The 49ers are sixth in the NFL in points per game, averaging 26.3 per contest. They are a half-game out of first place in the NFC West behind the Arizona Cardinals.