Christian McCaffrey update: Practice window may open during Bye week
The San Francisco 49ers appear to be inching closer toward a return for star running back Christian McCaffrey.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday intimated the team was hoping to get the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year back shortly after their Week 9 Bye.
When asked Wednesday about McCaffrey, Shanahan said he's hopeful the 21-day practice window will open for him during the team's Bye week.
Since McCaffrey is on IR with his Achilles tendinitis, he can't take part in any practices with the team. He is allowed to do rehab and solo on-field work. It would make sense that the team wants to maximize his ramp up with on-field team work.
By opening his window during the Bye, they'll be able to have him for any workouts they do during their week off. Even if there's no Bye week work, he'll be able to take part in the Monday bonus practice after the Bye, and then in a full week of practices leading up to the team's Week 10 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That would give him at least four practices before suiting up in a game, which may be enough for a player with McCaffrey's experience.
One advantage the 49ers have in this situation is that third-year RB Jordan Mason has been a star with McCaffrey out. That'll allow San Francisco to ease McCaffrey into work without overdoing it in games.
Managing his Achilles tendinitis is going to be a major task for the 49ers the rest of the way, and how successful they are in doing that may determine whether they can make another playoff run this season.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Christian McCaffrey update: Practice window may open during Bye week
