While a definitive activation date hasn’t been set, it appears Christian McCaffrey is getting closer to his return.
Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed “hope” that the star running back could be back following the team’s bye week, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
A potential Week 10 return would depend on McCaffrey’s continued progress in recovering from Achilles and calf issues.
Shanahan noted that while McCaffrey hasn’t faced any setbacks, it would still be surprising if the running back returned to practice this week and played against the Cowboys on Sunday.
Allowing McCaffrey to resume practice after the bye would provide him with another two weeks of recovery, and considering the performance of fill-in Jordan Mason, it makes sense for the team to proceed cautiously.
McCaffrey traveled to Germany last month to seek treatment for Achilles tendinitis, a lingering issue affecting both of his lower limbs.
The trip reportedly had a positive impact, as the running back was seen participating in light on-field work earlier this month. After missing the season opener, McCaffrey was placed on IR before Week 2, making him only recently eligible for activation.
The 49ers have been plagued by injuries this season, with Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending ACL tear being the latest addition to a long list of setbacks.
Despite a 3-4 record, the defending NFC champions are only a game behind Seattle in the NFC West standings. If McCaffrey can indeed return for Week 10, he would provide a much-needed boost as the 49ers look to make a playoff push.
In other injury news, Deebo Samuel left Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs after playing just four snaps.
Shanahan revealed that the wide receiver was hospitalized with fluid in his lungs, which Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports is technically pneumonia.
Samuel’s illness emerged on Sunday morning, and after he struggled to breathe during the early part of the game, the team decided to pull him out (per Barrows).
Shanahan remains uncertain about Samuel’s return to the lineup. Combined with Aiyuk’s season-ending injury, this could leave the 49ers especially thin at the wide receiver position this weekend.
Jauan Jennings, who had a standout performance in Week 3, is expected to lead the depth chart, though he missed the game against the Chiefs with a hip issue.
Ricky Pearsall may also have an opportunity for a significant role; the rookie, who was shot in the chest in early September, made his season debut on Sunday, catching three passes and playing 48 snaps.
