Christian McCaffrey takes big step toward returning to 49ers' backfield heading into Week 10

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Could this be the week the San Francisco 49ers finally get Christian McCaffrey back on the field?

McCaffrey, who has been battling Achilles tendinitis in both ankles, has yet to make his 2024 season debut. But that could change in Week 10 as the 49ers officially opened McCaffrey’s practice window on Monday. 

That means McCaffrey has 21 days to be added to the active roster, or he would need to be done for the season. 

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Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

But it’s not expected that McCaffrey needs the full 21 days, and there’s a chance he will suit up for the team’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road after their bye week. 

To say this has been a long time coming would be an understatement. McCaffrey’s injury status went on a roller-coaster ride starting with head coach Kyle Shanahan saying at the beginning of training camp that his star running back would miss a couple of weeks due to a calf injury.

But a massive surprise came when McCaffrey was not active for the team’s opening week matchup against the New York Jets. Jordan Mason has assumed McCaffrey’s duties in the starting role.

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Then another blow came when the 49ers announced McCaffrey would go on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least four games, but it’s been many more since then. 

It even got to the point where