49ers' McCaffrey feels 'great,' happy 'tough' time away over - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Following a long, often painful wait, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey said he is ready to make his 2024 season debut Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

«The last eight weeks were extremely unfortunate,» McCaffrey said. «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.»

McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the season with bilateral Achilles tendinitis. On Friday, he completed his first full week of practice since before the season opener and is set to be activated from injured reserve in time to play against the Bucs.

Officially, McCaffrey is listed as questionable on the team's injury report, but coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear Friday it would take a significant turn of events for the star running back not to be activated Saturday and play Sunday.

The 49ers waived running back Patrick Taylor Jr. on Friday night, opening a roster spot for McCaffrey.

«We'll take him off IR tomorrow, and then he'll be good to go,» Shanahan said. «Unless something crazy happens on this plane ride, he should be good to go tomorrow once he gets off IR.»

McCaffrey's recovery from a calf injury and the ensuing Achilles issue has seen plenty of stops and starts but finally gained momentum toward a return in recent weeks. The Niners placed McCaffrey on injured reserve Sept. 14 after he was listed as questionable and then was a surprise scratch before the Sept. 9 season opener against the New York Jets.

That followed a training camp in which McCaffrey participated very little as Shanahan announced he was dealing with a